Another win and another gold ball to add to the trophy case for the Brownfield Runnin’ Cubs as they routed Spearman in the Area Round Championship game winning 64-54.
After knocking off #15 Tornillo earlier in the week, it felt as if the Runnin’ Cubs could do anything they put their mind to. Brownfield came out on fire on offense and their defense was running on all cylinders against the Lynx Friday night allowing only one point from Spearman in the 1st quarter, and they didn’t get that one point until there were 35 seconds left in the 1st. Brownfield outscored Spearman 18-1 in the 1st and the majority of those points came from 3-pointers.
In the 2nd quarter, the Runnin’ Cubs laid back a bit allowing the Lynx to outscore Brownfield 8-7, however after their great 1st quarter, there was some breathing room, and still led at the half 25-9.
Up by 16 coming into the 3rd, Spearman began a resurgence and was trying to make a comeback. The Lynx would make it a three-possession game by getting within nine points at the 4:42 mark and getting within eight points with 2:13 left in the third. Spearman would again outscore Brownfield 22-16, however, the Runnin’ Cubs still led 41-31.
Coming into the 4th, the Runnin’ Cubs just needed to keep up their stellar defense that was seen in the first half. Unfortunately, the whistle of the officiating crew continued going off and would not let the Runnin’ Cubs get into a rhythm. Although the whistles blew, both teams had the most points in the quarter all night, both having 23 points each. The closest the Lynx would get was within six points of Brownfield since the beginning of the game with 1:04 left in the 4th. But, the Runnin’ Cubs would hold to take the 10-point win off of several free-throws, winning 64-54.
Next up is the Region I-3A Quarterfinals against the #5 Childress Bobcats. Childress comes out of District 2-3A where they and #6 Shallowater were District Co-Champs. A coin flip decided their paths and the Bobcats got the second seed.
There are a few things Brownfield and Childress have in common. Childress took on Levelland losing 54-48, Brownfield also lost to Levelland 49-42. Both squads also lost to Canyon HS, The Bobcats losing 55-41 and the Runnin’ Cubs losing 60-34. However, both teams went toe-to-toe twice this season with Brownfield losing both meetings, the first one at Childress in early December 75-68 and the second in late December in a tournament 69-63.
On scoring, the Bobcats have an upper edge by two more points on average. Right now Childress is averaging 60 points a game and allowing 47. Brownfield is not far behind as the Runnin’ Cubs are averaging 58 points a game and allowing 52 points a game. On paper and stats, it looks as if Childress exceeds Brownfield just by a few points on both sides. Like Spearman, Childress has a couple of players over six feet, compared to Brownfield’s tallest players at 5’11”.
Perhaps the key to Tuesday night’s game for the Runnin’ Cubs is simply to do what you’ve been doing. Stick to your defense, don’t turn the ball over, and get the rebounds.
Brownfield Runnin’ Cubs vs Childress Bobcats in Floydada Texas on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, with a 7:00 pm tip-off.
