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Photos by Nicole Flowers
January 13, 2025
Bulldogs drop heartbreaker to Fredericksburg in district opener
By Bandera Prophet Staff
The Bandera boys basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Fredericksburg in the District 26-4A opener Friday evening, dropping the team to 18-6 on the year and 0-1 in district play.
The Bulldogs got off to a slow start and trailed by as many as 16 points early in the third quarter before fighting all the way back to make it a one-point game with five minutes to go in the fourth. But Fredericksburg made just enough plays down the stretch to capitalize on a poor free throw shooting performance by Bandera while holding on for a 53-49 win.
“I was disappointed with the way we came out flat,” Bandera Head Coach Brady Keane said. "We didn’t start the game the way we needed to, and it put us in a tough position. But I am proud of how the guys responded in the second half. They showed a lot of heart, and they fought to get back into the game. We just came up a few plays short in the end."
The Billies jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first quarter behind a strong shooting performance and led 26-14 at the half. Bandera struggled with turnovers and a lack of rebounding in the first 16 minutes, but flipped a switch at halftime. James Bower and Cooper Franklin scored five points apiece in the third, and Beau Bergfeld (four offensive rebounds) and Gattlin Winkler (two offensive rebounds) gave the Bulldogs key second-chance opportunities to help fuel the comeback effort.
After cutting the deficit to nine points entering the fourth, Bandera senior Eli Salas took over on the offensive end. Salas was 5-for-8 from the floor in the fourth, scoring 13 points in the frame. Hayden Winters also provided a late spark, connecting on a 3-point shot in the right corner before grabbing an offensive rebound that led to one of Salas’ big shots down the stretch.
The Bulldogs trailed 42-41 after a steal from Jeffry Thomas led to a Salas layup in transition with 5:16 remaining, and Bandera got three consecutive defensive stops in a one-point game. The Bulldogs were just unable to get a shot to fall during that stretch, and Fredericksburg regained control and held on for the win.
“Our rebounding and defensive intensity really picked up in the second half, and that gave us a chance," Keane said. "Eli stepped up big for us offensively, and we had other guys like James and Hayden who made key plays to keep us in it. We just can’t expect to win games in this district when we shoot 45% from the free throw line. That has to get fixed.”
Salas finished with a game-high 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals while Bower added eight points, two rebounds and steals. Franklin had five points and five rebounds, Winkler had four points and two rebounds, Bergfeld had four points and 11 rebounds, Winters had three points and one rebound, and Anden Tentis-De Grote had two points and three rebounds.
The Bulldogs will be back at home Tuesday night against Wimberley in another big district showdown. Bandera will then travel to Navarro Friday and Davenport Tuesday, before finishing off the first round of district with a home game against Canyon Lake.
“This district is one of the most competitive in the state, and every game is going to be a battle," Keane said. "We’ve got to clean up some things, especially at the free throw line and in taking care of the basketball, but I know this team has the ability to compete with anyone. We’re looking forward to getting back out there and competing against Wimberley on Tuesday."
The Bulldogs got off to a slow start and trailed by as many as 16 points early in the third quarter before fighting all the way back to make it a one-point game with five minutes to go in the fourth. But Fredericksburg made just enough plays down the stretch to capitalize on a poor free throw shooting performance by Bandera while holding on for a 53-49 win.
“I was disappointed with the way we came out flat,” Bandera Head Coach Brady Keane said. "We didn’t start the game the way we needed to, and it put us in a tough position. But I am proud of how the guys responded in the second half. They showed a lot of heart, and they fought to get back into the game. We just came up a few plays short in the end."
The Billies jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first quarter behind a strong shooting performance and led 26-14 at the half. Bandera struggled with turnovers and a lack of rebounding in the first 16 minutes, but flipped a switch at halftime. James Bower and Cooper Franklin scored five points apiece in the third, and Beau Bergfeld (four offensive rebounds) and Gattlin Winkler (two offensive rebounds) gave the Bulldogs key second-chance opportunities to help fuel the comeback effort.
After cutting the deficit to nine points entering the fourth, Bandera senior Eli Salas took over on the offensive end. Salas was 5-for-8 from the floor in the fourth, scoring 13 points in the frame. Hayden Winters also provided a late spark, connecting on a 3-point shot in the right corner before grabbing an offensive rebound that led to one of Salas’ big shots down the stretch.
The Bulldogs trailed 42-41 after a steal from Jeffry Thomas led to a Salas layup in transition with 5:16 remaining, and Bandera got three consecutive defensive stops in a one-point game. The Bulldogs were just unable to get a shot to fall during that stretch, and Fredericksburg regained control and held on for the win.
“Our rebounding and defensive intensity really picked up in the second half, and that gave us a chance," Keane said. "Eli stepped up big for us offensively, and we had other guys like James and Hayden who made key plays to keep us in it. We just can’t expect to win games in this district when we shoot 45% from the free throw line. That has to get fixed.”
Salas finished with a game-high 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals while Bower added eight points, two rebounds and steals. Franklin had five points and five rebounds, Winkler had four points and two rebounds, Bergfeld had four points and 11 rebounds, Winters had three points and one rebound, and Anden Tentis-De Grote had two points and three rebounds.
The Bulldogs will be back at home Tuesday night against Wimberley in another big district showdown. Bandera will then travel to Navarro Friday and Davenport Tuesday, before finishing off the first round of district with a home game against Canyon Lake.
“This district is one of the most competitive in the state, and every game is going to be a battle," Keane said. "We’ve got to clean up some things, especially at the free throw line and in taking care of the basketball, but I know this team has the ability to compete with anyone. We’re looking forward to getting back out there and competing against Wimberley on Tuesday."