By Craig Holamon
sports@mineralwellsindex.com
The Mineral Wells Rams avenged two early season losses and stayed a live in the District 8-4A basketball race on Tuesday with a 66-57 win over the Joshua Owls in overtime.
Mineral wells and Joshua ended the fourth period in a 55-55 deadlock before the Rams took the win with an 11-2 rally in the four-minute overtime period.
Joshua took a 57-55 lead early in the overtime period before Rams’ leading scorer Mark Jones fouled out.
Joshua tried to kill the clock with a stall but a steal by Jamie Putman stopped the stall and opened the flood gates for Mineral Wells.
Mineral Wells took the clutch win while Jones, who piled up 20 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and two assists, watched from the bench.
Chris Brawley hit a clutch three-pointer, Bryan Farmer sank a field goal and made two free throws and Brandon Hardeman sealed the win with four consecutive free throws.
When it was all said and done the Rams had reeled off the final 11 points of the game.
The win in the first game of the second half of the boys district race moved Mineral Wells to 9-16 on the year and to 3-5 in district play.
The loss left Joshua with an 11-9 season record and at 3-5 in league play.
Mineral Wells coach David Breazeale was glad to get the win.
“It was good for us,” Breazeale said.
Mineral Wells took a 24-12 first-quarter lead before Joshua made the halftime score 34-25 with a 13-12 second-quarter run.
The Owls outscored the Rams 31-21 during the third and fourth quarters and tied the score at 55 before Mineral Wells pulled the win out in overtime.
Hardeman finished the game with 10 points, two rebounds, two steals and two assists while Farmer had 14 points and nine boards.
Brawley and Marshall Bumpus scored five points each while Beau Bridgeman hit a trio of three-point shots and ended the game with nine points.
Putman finished the contest with three points while Austin Tollefson completed the Mineral Wells scoring with a pair of points.
Notes ... The Rams and Lady Rams varsity, junior varsity and freshmen basketball teams are each set to return to play on Friday when Mineral Wells pays a visit to Cleburne High School.
Linescores
Varsity Boys
Mineral Wells 66, Joshua 57
Joshua 12 13 16 14 2 — 57
Mineral Wells 24 10 13 8 11 — 66
Mineral Wells scoring: Chris Brawley 5, Jamie Putman 3, Mark Jones 20, Bryan Farmer 14, Brandon Hardeman 10, Marshall Bumpus 5, Austin Tollefson 2, Beau Bridgeman 9. Mineral Wells record 9-16 and 3-5. Joshua record 11-9 and 3-5.
Junior Varsity Boys
Mineral Wells 59, Joshua 42
Joshua 11 10 9 12 — 42
Mineral Wells 22 9 11 17 — 59
Mineral Wells scoring: Josh copeland 3, Zach Nicklas 23, Christian Jackson 2, Reece Flanagan 11, Kenyon Calcote 6, Dillion Wilkins 6, Colby McDonald 8.
Freshmen Boys
Mineral Wells 79, Joshua 39
Joshua 8 9 9 13 — 39
Mineral Wells 18 25 17 19 — 79
Mineral Wells scoring: Matt Grimes 9, cody Barrick 16, Tamarkus Carter 6, Adam Rincon 4, Josh Ralls 15, Clay Parish 2, Skyler Flaska 15.
