Last-second shot keeps Ricebirds rolling

The Ricebirds' latest win came courtesy of a heroic shot at the last second.

El Campo's boys basketball team hosted the Calhoun Sandcrabs Friday and played through a tough game to get the win. It was guard and outside shooter Kevin Gooden who made the final basket, but it took the entire team to come back from a fourth-quarter deficit.

El Campo entered the final quarter trailing the Sandcrabs 32-28, but by the end of the game, the Ricebirds were celebrating another win.

The score moved back and forth with the 'Birds slowly cutting at Calhoun's lead. Behind 33-32 with 4:18 left to play, Larry Williams connected on a pair of much-needed free throws to put El Campo up 34-33.

Over the next minute and a half, Calhoun pulled ahead once again after a 7-2 run to take a 40-36 lead.

Travis Pflughaupt made the game's next two baskets to tie the game. The first came on a reverse layup and the second on a 5-foot jump shot from the middle of the key. With 1:54, the score was even at 40 a piece.

Anthony Terrel pushed the 'Birds up 42-40 with two free throws with 1:21 left in the game, but Calhoun tied the game with a basket with 27 seconds remaining.

El Campo's plan was to work the ball around and try to end this game with an open shot. The only one available was from long distance.

The Ricebirds patiently moved around the 'Crab defense waiting for a chance to end the game. Eventually, Gooden got the ball at 3-point range.

Gooden let his shot fly and it swished through the net as the buzzer rang. El Campo defeated Calhoun 45-42.

It was a struggle from tip off for the Ricebirds.

Shooting was down for both teams with El Campo making four of 15 attempts for 27 percent from the field.

Fortunately, the Ricebirds' rebounding strength kept them in the game. The team pulled down 12 boards in the first quarter with Pflughaupt leading the way with six.

By the start of the second quarter, El Campo led Calhoun 8-7, but it was all about to slip away.

The 'Birds and Sandcrabs pushed each other back and forth for a 13-12 El Campo lead early in the quarter. Calhoun stepped up and shut down the Ricebirds' offensive effort for an 8-0 run and took a 20-13 lead in the game.

El Campo's scoring drought ended on a rebound and put back by Landon Appling, but the damage was done. At the half, Calhoun had a 23-17 lead.

The 'Birds worked toward a comeback in the third quarter and through pressure and a trapping defense only gave Calhoun seven shots. The defensive effort helped the Ricebirds cut the Sandcrabs' lead to 32-28 before taking over in the fourth quarter.

El Campo moved to 15-3 on the season with the win and hosted Cuero late Tuesday night. After playing the Gobblers, the Ricebirds start district play Friday at Terry.