Boys basketball: One win short

DECATUR — The story of the Denton Broncos is a tale that reverberates from Fulton Street and Broadway Street to Carroll Boulevard and the ends of the city. It’s a story of the city’s first high school and its passionate supporters, a story filled with heritage and past greatness and current struggles.

The chapter written on Friday night in Decatur was a somber one, a chapter about a basketball team that battled back from a rough start on Friday night and from the beginning of the season.

The Denton boys basketball team played Wichita Falls at Decatur High School for the final playoff berth in District 4-4A. The teams finished the season tied for fourth place in the district standings and tied in head-to-head victories.

Three days ago, Denton defeated Wichita Falls to force the one-game playoff. Three days later, Denton could not replicate its success, falling 75-55.

Wichita Falls advances to play Wolfforth Frenship on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Childress, while Denton’s season ended on Friday night.

The Broncos only led for one possession, a short-lived 2-1 advantage in the first quarter. The Coyotes built a double-digit lead afterward and never relented.

“Wichita Falls just played at a different intensity than we were early in the game, and they built that lead,” Denton head coach Harold Jackson said. “By the time we caught up to the intensity they were playing at, it was too late.”

Coyotes guard D.J. Jordan led all scorers with 24 points. Ronny Garza paced the Broncos with 14 points, and Manny Patterson tallied 13.

Wichita Falls had something Denton didn’t — experience in a playoff scenario. Wichita Falls made its second trip to the playoffs, while Denton has only made the playoffs once in the last seven seasons.

“I thought we were a little nervous, a little stiff,” Jackson said about Denton’s start. “I kept trying to get them to relax and play. It’s just tough. A lot of those kids have never been in this kind of atmosphere. It’s a new experience for them.”

The Coyotes (11-21) hit their first six shots of the game, allowing Wichita Falls to end the first quarter with a 19-7 lead. Denton went 3-of-12 from the field in the opening 8 minutes.

When the shots finally started to fall for the Broncos, they were forced to fight back from a deficit that dwindled but never fully dissolved.

Wichita Falls’ biggest lead was 23 points midway through the third quarter. Denton chipped away at the lead, frantically pressed for points, forced turnovers and cut the lead to 10 points with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

Denton’s season was embalmed on the free throw line. The teams combined for 40 free throws in the last eight minutes, with Jackson forcing the Coyotes make their shots.

Wichita Falls went 20-of-26 from the line in the fourth quarter. Denton went 13-of-16 from the line in the final eight minutes.

As bitter as the loss was for Denton, it was especially sweet for Wichita Falls and head coach Carl Pennington. Wichita Falls started the season losing 11 of its first 12 games and Pennington temporarily lost his job and regained it in the middle of the season.

“The kids came through for me because it’s a long personal year for me,” Pennington said, his voice all but gone. “I’m happy for them.”

Pennington and Jackson, best friends, shared similar starts to the season. Jackson and the Broncos started the season losing seven of their first nine games before rebounding to make it one game away from the playoffs.

Wichita Falls dribbled out the last 30 seconds of the game, as its fans rose in applause while Denton’s fans headed downstairs for the exits. It was the final game for eight Denton seniors.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get them to where their dreams and aspirations wanted to go, but those guys are class acts,” Jackson said. “I love those seniors.”

The outcome seals another chapter in a never-ending story. When the Broncos step onto the court for its off-season regimen heading into the season, the goals and aspirations will remain the same.

But for another year, the Broncos will have to wait.

BEN BABY can be reached at 940-566-6869. His email address is bbaby@dentonrc.com. 

WICHITA FALLS 75, DENTON 55

Denton            7          13        12        23 — 55

Wichita Falls   19        17        15        24 — 75

Denton (13-17) — Michael Jackson 3, Ryan Daniels 5, Ronny Garza 14, Terrance Lucas 3, J.J. Harper 4, Manny Patterson 13, D.J. Hicks 8.

Wichita Falls (11-21) — D.J. Jordan 24, Bubba Mathis 16, Heath Haigood 6, Brandon Brown 4, Deshaun Young 2, David Hurtado 7, Garron Nash 2, Tanner Brewster 6, Thomas Morrison 2.