Last night the Staley Mustangs played their last basketball game of the season, hosting the Hunt Huskies.  All the Staley teams played well, each wanting to get that last victory.  It was a bittersweet night for the eighth grade parents as many of us watch our boys play their last school affiliated basketball game. 

The 7th Grade Boys C Team played tough against the Huskies keeping it close most of the game, the scored was tied 14 all mid way through the third period. But then the Huskies made a couple of baskets, when nothing was falling for the Mustangs, to take a 20-15 lead at the end of the third period. The Huskies had all the moment in the fourth period and put the game away.  The Mustangs fought hard, and put a couple more points on the board, but the victory went to Hunt.

The game of the night went the to 8th Grade C Team.  This team has a collection of thrilling games.  The game started out rough the Mustangs.  It looked like it might be a blow out in favor of the Huskies as they took a 14-4 lead going in to half time.  The highlight of the first half, was when Gavin toss the ball to Jace and he immediately took the jump shot and swished it through.  The cheer from the crowd was heartwarming.  Unfortunately the ref called no basket, because of a traveling call.  Nonetheless, nothing can erase the cheers and heartwarming congratulations of his team mates.  Despite being down by ten, what you have to love about all our Staley Mustangs is the spirit, determination and perseverance of these boys.   The Mustangs switched things up in the second half and dug deep.  The defense really stepped it up and put on the pressure, and the  offense rallied to make up the 10 point half-time deficit.   The Mustangs got things started right off the bat when #10 took the inbounds and passed out to #33 who made the three point jump shot to get the score to Hunt 14-Staley 7.  Staley put the ball up a couple more times but the ball would not fall in.  The Huskies seem to be having the same dilemma, they also took several shot, before they got a goal to go up 16-7.  Number ten took the ball up court and toss the ball to #33 who, once again, made the three point jump shot: Hunt 16- Mustangs 10.  The Huskies got the ball back and took quite a few shots, but the Mustangs finally got the rebound back down court, and #10 passed to #15, who made the lay up to bring the Mustangs within four, with 2:45 left in the third period. The score stayed Hunt 16 - Staley 12 until midway through the final period when #22 got a rebound from #33 shot and it sank through the net.  Seconds later, #10 rebounded from the Huskies shot, took a couple of dribbles and passed it far down the court to #15 who made the lay up to tie the game at 16 all.  In the final minute, it was an all out battle.  Staley's #25 got the rebound on Hunt's shot, passed to #1, who passed to #33 who took the shot, missed, but got the rebound and put it up for two.  The Mustangs were ahead 18-16 with 55 seconds left.   After a time out, the Huskies inbound and took it down the court,  several passes and three shots and rebounds, finally found them finding the net with 14 seconds left.  The game was tied at 18.  The Mustangs inbounded the ball, made it down court and three shots were taken.  A foul on #22 during the final shot, had him coming to the net.  Unfortunately, neither shot went through the net.  the Mustangs got the rebound and took one last shot, but that bounced off the backboard, out of bounds.     End of regulation, all tied up at 18, it was headed to a 3 minute overtime show down.  The overtime period was a defensive battle with no score for the two minutes.  Finally after numerous shots, and missed free throws by both the Mustangs and Huskies,  Staley's #22 went for the shot and drew a foul.  The first free throw went through, and then #22 got a rebounded to get the basket and was fouled again.  Again, he made the first shot and the Mustangs were up 22-18 with 50 seconds left.  The Huskies took it up the court, and were fouled and he missed, but the Mustangs knocked the ball out of bounds, so Hunt inbound and passed to a player who made the three point jump to bring the Huskies within one.   A miscue by the Mustangs could have been costly, but the defense stayed tough and kept the pressure on as the seconds ticked off the clock to zero.  The Mustangs made a HUGE come back to take the victory in their last game as Staley Mustangs!!!  Congratulations on an AWESOME victory!!!

The 7th Grade B Team had a heart breaking loss in the final seconds.  The Staley boys played hard the entire game, which was very close.  Ahead 26-23, the Huskies made a basket and a free throw to tie it up with 12 seconds left.  Another free throw made with 5 seconds left, put them ahead.  The Mustangs inbounded the ball, and a valiant effort by the team was made, and #24 toss up a shot, after a fall, as the buzzer sounded.  The ball fell short and the Huskies snagged a victory.  All in all a great game and season by this young team!!  Great job Mustangs. 

The 8th Grade B Team had a rough night.  It seemed, absolutely nothing would fall for the Mustangs.  Shot after shot, hit just outside the basket.  As always these boys play hard, give it their best, and are fun to watch.  I just wish they could have gotten another win.

The 7th Grade A Team played a good game, put up the shots and keeping it pretty close until the end of the third period.  Down by four 28-24, the momentum shifted to the Huskies as they made two more quick baskets. The Mustangs fought hard but could not make up the ground.  The Huskies got the victory 48-36.

The 8th Grade A team put on a show for the crowd in their final game as Staley Mustangs!! Hunt kept it close until the first period at 7-6, but then the Mustangs turned it on. Baskets by #25, #53, #11 and #23 had the score skyrocket to 24-12 midway through the second period.  More baskets  by #13, #14 and #51 had the Mustangs up  29-17 at the half.  A three foot jumper by #2 and shots by #5 and crew had the Mustangs cruise to a 53-33 victory!!  Congratulations on a fantastic win!! Way to go Mustangs.!!

8th Grade C Team

7th Grade C Team

7th Grade C Team

8th Grade C Team

8th Grade C Team

8th Grade C Team. 

8th Grade B Team

8th Grade B Team 

7th Grade B Team

7th Grade B Team

8th Grade A Team

7th Grade A Team

8th Grade A Team 

7th Grade A Team