GEORGETOWN — Drawn into Round Rock’s slow pace of play for three quarters and on the verge of possibly being ousted by the Dragons in the playoffs for the second straight year in a defensive slugfest, Lake Travis decided to impose its will in the fourth quarter Tuesday.
The Cavs erupted for 26 points in the final eight minutes as they forced the game into their preferred transition style and took a 60-48 win over Round Rock in a Class 6A bi-district contest at Georgetown High School.
“We tried to make adjustments at halftime, and we even had on the board, ‘Play at our pace,’” said Lake Travis coach Brandon Shaver, who is in his first year leading the Cavs. “We picked it up in the fourth quarter, whether off their makes or misses, pushing the ball and getting it up the floor to put pressure on them to get back.”
In the third straight meeting between the schools to begin the playoffs, the game entered the fourth quarter tied at 34-34. While it wasn’t the slugfest of a year ago that Round Rock won 37-24 and kept Lake Travis scoreless for 14 minutes of game time, the first three quarters resembled the Dragons’ preferred methodical tempo and focus on defense.
That stopped in the fourth.
Hunter Duran hit a 3-pointer to begin the quarter, and Ethan Birchall scored nine of his 14 points down the stretch as the Cavs quickly forced Round Rock into a game of catch-up.
“With what happened last year in this game, I told the guys in the locker room that it was really impressive how mentally strong they were,” Shaver said. “The guys didn’t allow adversity to affect them, and it’s really fun to coach a group that’s mentally tough and strong.”
Birchall was arguably the key for Lake Travis.
The fourth or fifth option on the floor for a vastly talented Cavs team, he drilled a shot from behind the arc and made three key layups as Lake Travis (30-5) gradually built its double-digit lead.
“My teammates did a good job of finding me when I was open,” Birchall said. “We competed better in the fourth. … It means a lot to win here. I definitely didn’t want the season to end early. It’s awesome playing with these guys, and I hope we can go far.”
Jason Ward finished with 21 points to lead all scorers for Round Rock (20-13).
Hudson Greer, who returned from injury for his first game since Jan. 9, had 20 points to pace the Cavs, with Jayden Thomas adding 12 points to join him and Birchall in double figures.
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Cedar Creek 47, McCallum 34: The Eagles played solid defense and received 20 points from point guard Robert Conrad in their Class 5A bi-district win, which marked their first playoff victory in school history. Kenji Franklin finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for Cedar Creek.
Connally 65, LASA 40: Jordan Wright ’s 15 points led all scorers for the Cougars as they won on the Raptors’ home court. Wright finished with five assists and three steals, while both Anthony Phagans and Mekhai Bryant tallied 12 points to put three Connally players in double figures. Joseph Barnwell hit three 3-pointers to add nine points for the Cougars, who won in bi-district for the second straight year.
Hendrickson 63, LBJ 42: Chi Ukachukwu scored 19 points, Amir Thompson finished with 11 and Spencer Distefano added nine to lead the Hawks to a win at the Delco Center. It marked the second straight year for Hendrickson to open the playoffs with a win.
St. Michael's 72, Fort Worth Christian 56: Bo Ogden 's 24 points and Aiden Disu 's double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds paced the Crusaders in the first round of the TAPPS Class 5A postseason.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lake Travis, Cedar Creek, Connally and Hendrickson win first-round playoff games
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