Staley Mustangs Basketball resumed its season after the winter break.  The Staley boys played their first home game of the season against the Fowler Falcons.   The most exciting game of the night was the Staley 8th Grade Boys C Team.  The game started with the Mustangs going up 6-1.  The Mustangs were playing tough, but Fowler was puttng up a good fight.  Number 4 made a free throw to give the Mustangs a 9-6 lead with 2:17 left in the half.  Fowler made two baskets to take the lead 10-9.  The Mustangs and Falcons were fighting it out, keeping it close, as the Mustangs had a slight edge 16-15 early in the third quarter.  These two teams were in an all out battle, matching basket for basket.  Fowler gained a three point lead 21-18 with 3:42 left in the game.  The Mustangs defense played great and with 1:24 left, the Mustangs were down by 2:  Falcons 22- Mustangs 20.  After a time out, the Mustangs got the ball, #0 drove the ball to the basket, the shot bounced off the rim and eventually Fowler got the ball back and took it down the court.  The Mustangs defense played tough, and #1  got the rebound, passed to #3 who dribbled down the court and took the  shot, #0 rebounded and was fouled on his shot.  Staley's #0 came to the line with 27 seconds left for two free throws.  The fans, the bench and myself held their breath as Ben shot and the ball approached the net: swish!  Ben, calm and composed, took the second free throw and tied it up as the bench went wild.   Mustangs 22- Falcons 22 and 27 seconds left, the game was up for grabs.  It was a nail biter for sure.   Fowler inbounded the ball, took it down to their basket, great Mustang defense had the shot blocked and the Fowler player inadvertently tossing the ball out of bounds: Mustang's ball!!  Mustang #10 took the ball, raced down the court,  a collision with a Fowler player had #10 go down as he passed.  Staley #22 got the ball and took the shot, the ball bounced off the rim,  off a Fowler player's leg and out of bounds.   Mustang's ball with ten second left, the Staley fans were ecstatic.  After a time out, the Mustangs, pumped and ready, inbounded the ball to #22, Jacob took the shot, and drew the foul.  The crowd roared!  With the scored tied, and 8 seconds left in the game, Number 22 came to line, everyone waited with bated breath, as Jacob took the shot.  The ball went through the net, and the Mustangs had the lead 23-22.  The bench, players' bleachers, coaches and the fans went nuts!!  Jacob, unbelievably calm, took the second shot, and swished that one through the net as well. The excitement of the entire Mustang team was incredible.  Four clutch free throw to take the lead, what a game!! The Mustang defense had to buckle down for 8 seconds to hold on for the win, as Fowler took the ball to their end of the court.  The Mustang defense applied the pressure, as a Fowler pass was missed and went out of bounds.  MUSTANG VICTORY!!  The Staley boys played tough and smart to come away with a much deserved victory.  Seeing the entire 8th Grade Mustangs teams celebrate this victory was a heart touching moment!!  Way to go MUSTANGS!!  So proud of these boys, way to be tough!!!

Here are some images of that incredible game: