Contributing Writer
This past week, the Cuero Gobblers faced off against two formidable opponents, the Goliad Tigers and the Karnes City Badgers. Both games showcased the Gobblers athleticism and comradery on the court, despite a challenging start in the first matchup.
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Gobblers traveled to Goliad for what would become an intense showdown. The game didn’t start in Cuero’s favor, as they faced a steep deficit by the end of the first quarter, trailing 4-16. Coach Scott Galloway emphasized the importance of overcoming those early struggles, stating, “We fought hard to overcome the slow start of the first half to pull within 2 points twice, but couldn’t overcome their fast start.”
As the second quarter unfolded, the Gobblers began to find their rhythm, outscoring Goliad 14 to 10, bringing the halftime score to 1426. The team found its scoring spirit in the second half, with standout performances from D’zayvion Bonner, who led the team with 19 points, and Melo Perez, who contributed 17 points. Paydon Flores added valuable contributions with 4 points, while Hunton Rickman and Elias Munoz chipped in 3 points each, and David Leinen rounded out the scoring with a bucket.
Despite a valiant effort that saw them close to within two points in the third quarter, the Gobblers fell short in the final minutes, closing the game at 48-56. The experience, though tough, offered valuable lessons on resilience and teamwork as they prepared for their next game.
The Gobblers returned to the court on Friday, Jan. 9, facing Karnes City, another strong opponent. This time, Cuero commanded the game from the outset. They jumped to an early lead, closing the first quarter at 13-6. The second quarter demonstrated their dominance as they outscored the Badgers 12 to 7, resulting in a halftime score of 25-13.
Upon resuming play in the third quarter, Karnes City found their footing but still couldn’t catch up to Cuero’s momentum. By the end of the third, the score stood at 39-31 in favor of the Gobblers. The final score was 55-40, reflecting a solid team performance. Leinen emerged as a significant contributor in this matchup, scoring an impressive 20 points. Bonner continued his strong play with 19 points, while Perez, acknowledging the teamwork, added 10 points of his own.
After the game, Coach Galloway showered praise on his team, noting, “Like Goliad, Karnes City is having a good season, but we played well on the road to get the win.”
As the season progresses, the Cuero Gobblers are showing growth and improvement on the court, setting the stage for an exciting district season. With key players stepping up and a strong team spirit, fans are eager to see how this team will continue to evolve in the coming weeks. Stay tuned, as the Gobblers aim to carry this momentum into district play which begins Friday, Jan.16 at San Antonio Memorial.
