01/07/2006
By Chris Roark, Staff Writer

LEWISVILLE - The only thing that would have made the Lewisville boys basketball game better Friday would have been just one more minute of good play.

Coach Henry Thomas said Friday's game was one of the best his team has played this season, though it lost to Plano, 65-61. The score was tied at 61 with 30 seconds left, but a Lewisville (12-8, 0-3 in District 8-5A) turnover led to Plano possession and two free throws. The Wildcats later made two more to seal the win.

"It's the story of Lewisville's life," Thomas said. "It was another four-point swing, just like we had against Plano East. Those four free throws put it away."

Lewisville took a 12-9 lead after the first quarter and then trailed by just one at the half, 31-30. Plano (12-7, 2-1) extended the lead to 49-42 after the third quarter, but the Farmers stayed in it with what Thomas called one of the better-shooting performances of the season. Included in the performance was five 3-pointers.

"We played one of the best games of the season," Thomas said. "They capitalized on us in the fourth quarter after a couple of turnovers hurt us. But it was still one of our best games, and it was a good team effort."

Sheldon Brown led Lewisville with 17 points, followed by Cameron Clemons' 13 and William Weathers' 11.

Plano, however, was led by 6-foot-8 post Eric Zastoupil's 32 points after his domination inside.

"We knew we were going to struggle inside because of their size," Thomas said. "But we did good at containing everyone else."

Lewisville hosts The Colony at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, and Thomas hopes that's the key to a turnaround. Lewisville has lost three of its last four games.

"We've had two tough road losses," the coach said. "So we need to regroup. We have to win the close games, because other teams are doing what they need to ... winning at home."