Foul trouble sidelines Bellaire Star McClellan
In the second game at Cole Coliseum, Seven Lakes shook off a slow start and held off a panic rally to down Bellaire 54-49 to advance. They will face Cy-Falls in the Area Round of the playoffs at a site and time to be determined.
The Spartans (31-6), fresh off a third place finish out of District 19-5A behind Strake Jesuit and Morton Ranch needed a failed 3-point attempt from Texas Commit, Sheldon McClellan to avoid overtime.
Bellaire’s story line was a disaster with McClellan picking up two fouls in the first seven minutes of the game and his third in the second quarter. His bench time proved to be factor for the Spartans.
The Spartan’s led a low scoring first quarter, 9-7 into the second quarter.
Bellaire led 14-11 after Calvin Dean’s trey and McClellan’s close range bucket in the paint. With 4:55 to go in the second, McClellan was assessed with his third foul, two of which were player control fouls. He was done for the remainder of the half.
“At that point, we were in control of the game (when McClellan was in the game),” said Bellaire’s Coach Bruce Glover. We kind of had it going the way we wanted, we tried setup some things for the second half. We wanted to ware them down a little bit. When he went out it totally change the way we looked (speaking about McClellan). Remember we only have one player that’s played in a playoff and so when he goes out I’m searching for young sophomores and freshmen.”
The Cardinals battled as McClellan watched from the bench as Seven lakes held a three point lead going into intermission, 28-25
Spartan fans cheered as McClellan picked up his fourth foul with 7:38 to go in the third quarter. Soon after Jaylon Jones and Trey Pinkney coupled up with a basket a piece to increase the lead 32-25 on their way to a 40-29 lead after three quarters of play.
“We came together and just started slowing the game down,” said Seven Lakes Point Guard Trey Pinkney. We play to our strength and to their weaknesses. There a great team (Bellaire). In the beginning there was a lot of one on one and quick shots but we started moving the ball around getting easy shots which made the game a lot easier.”
Malcolm Glover got the Cardinals within 10 points when he eluded a player while being fouled by another. He converted the basket and the bonus free throw, 44-34.
Glover and McClellan combined for 16 points in the fourth quarter. It was enough give Spartan fans a scare.
“We came together and just started slowing the game down,” said Seven Lakes Point Guard Trey Pinkney. We play to our strength and to their weaknesses. There a great team (Bellaire). In the beginning there was a lot of one on one and quick shots but we started moving the ball around getting easy shots which made the game a lot easier.”
Bellaire (21-8) continued the rally attempt, shaving the lead down to two points when Glover and McClellan took over the game before his last desperation 3-pointer missed the mark.
In limited action McClellan finished with 21 points as well as Glover