Photos by Aiden Irvin
January 27, 2025
Bulldogs hang on to knock off Canyon Lake in dramatic finish
Bandera Prophet Staff
The Bandera varsity basketball team ended the first round of District 26-4A play with some momentum after knocking off second-place Canyon Lake in a 38-37 defensive battle Friday night.
The Bulldogs struggled offensively for much of the night and managed just four points in the first quarter, but defensive intensity and a dominance on the boards allowed Bandera to hold Canyon Lake to just two points of its own in the second quarter. The Bulldogs led 13-12 at the break, and finally got some shots to fall in the third quarter.
Bandera led by as many as 12 points midway through the fourth before the Hawks came roaring back as the Bulldogs had a number of untimely turnovers that led to easy baskets down the stretch. Canyon Lake missed a free throw with 1.7 seconds left, though, and Bandera held on for a one-point win.
“It wasn’t pretty most of the night, but man did our kids get after it on defense,” Head Coach Brady Keane said. “We couldn’t buy a bucket early, but we kept battling and getting stops that we needed. These are the kinds of games that test your toughness as a team, and I’m proud of the way we stepped up to the challenge.”
Senior Beau Bergfeld led the way offensively for Bandera, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Eli Salas added 14 points (12 in the second half), seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Jeffry Thomas added five points and three assists, and James Bower, Cooper Franklin, Jackson Satterfield and Gattlin Winkler made key contributions defensively.
“We ask a lot of Eli and Beau every night, but we especially needed their offensive production Friday,” Keane said. “They made big plays when it mattered and did what leaders do, especially in the second half.”
While Bandera was just 44% from inside the 3-point line and 1-of-17 from behind the arc in the game, the Bulldogs outrebounded a much larger Canyon Lake team 41-38 and scored 12 second-chance points on 17 offensive rebounds.
“We talked all the time about controlling what you can control,” Keane said. “We can’t always control the offensive side. Sometimes good shots don’t fall. But 17 offensive rebounds speaks to the effort these guys played with, and that’s something we can always control. Holding a team like that to 37 points also says a lot about their tenacity on defense.”
The Bulldogs moved to 19-9 on the season and will open the second round of district play on the road at Fredericksburg Tuesday night. Bandera lost to the Billies at home a few weeks back in a 53-49 finish.
“We felt like we let one slip away in the district opener against Fredericksburg and we’re looking forward to having another chance against those guys,” Keane said. “They have a good team, and are very well coached. It’s a must win for them just as much as it is for us, and we’re excited for the opportunity to go compete.”
The Bulldogs struggled offensively for much of the night and managed just four points in the first quarter, but defensive intensity and a dominance on the boards allowed Bandera to hold Canyon Lake to just two points of its own in the second quarter. The Bulldogs led 13-12 at the break, and finally got some shots to fall in the third quarter.
Bandera led by as many as 12 points midway through the fourth before the Hawks came roaring back as the Bulldogs had a number of untimely turnovers that led to easy baskets down the stretch. Canyon Lake missed a free throw with 1.7 seconds left, though, and Bandera held on for a one-point win.
“It wasn’t pretty most of the night, but man did our kids get after it on defense,” Head Coach Brady Keane said. “We couldn’t buy a bucket early, but we kept battling and getting stops that we needed. These are the kinds of games that test your toughness as a team, and I’m proud of the way we stepped up to the challenge.”
Senior Beau Bergfeld led the way offensively for Bandera, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Eli Salas added 14 points (12 in the second half), seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Jeffry Thomas added five points and three assists, and James Bower, Cooper Franklin, Jackson Satterfield and Gattlin Winkler made key contributions defensively.
“We ask a lot of Eli and Beau every night, but we especially needed their offensive production Friday,” Keane said. “They made big plays when it mattered and did what leaders do, especially in the second half.”
While Bandera was just 44% from inside the 3-point line and 1-of-17 from behind the arc in the game, the Bulldogs outrebounded a much larger Canyon Lake team 41-38 and scored 12 second-chance points on 17 offensive rebounds.
“We talked all the time about controlling what you can control,” Keane said. “We can’t always control the offensive side. Sometimes good shots don’t fall. But 17 offensive rebounds speaks to the effort these guys played with, and that’s something we can always control. Holding a team like that to 37 points also says a lot about their tenacity on defense.”
The Bulldogs moved to 19-9 on the season and will open the second round of district play on the road at Fredericksburg Tuesday night. Bandera lost to the Billies at home a few weeks back in a 53-49 finish.
“We felt like we let one slip away in the district opener against Fredericksburg and we’re looking forward to having another chance against those guys,” Keane said. “They have a good team, and are very well coached. It’s a must win for them just as much as it is for us, and we’re excited for the opportunity to go compete.”