Basketball: Bronchos can't keep up with Matadors

Odessa High School’s boys basketball season opened Tuesday with a thud.

The Bronchos (0-1 overall) were run off their home floor 67-41 by Lubbock Estacado.

“They were one game away from state for a reason,” OHS head coach James Johnson said of the Class 4A power Matadors. “We want to play people like them. Pecos backed out of the game, but a loss to a team like this is probably better than a big win over a smaller school.”

Odessa High struggled from the outset, playing without projected starters Travis Nickens and Jeremy Flores, who strained some tendons in his hand during practice last week.

Because of that, the Bronchos had a lot of inexperienced players on the floor, leading to 15 first-half turnovers and 22 for the game.

“We’re trying to develop a bench,” Johnson said. “I think you have to play people now so you can see what they can do. If you wait until later on you won’t have time.”

Estacado used a 16-4 run from the final seconds of the first quarter to midway through the second quarter to turn a 14-10 lead into a 30-14 advantage.

The Matadors (1-0) gave the Bronchos defense problems all night with their quickness and 3-point shooting.

On the flip side, OHS struggled mightily shooting the ball and did not make a jump shot all night. All of its baskets were either lay-ins or free throws.

“Our football guys have got to get in basketball shape,” Johnson said. “Our shooting was horrendous. Even the free throws, right from the start of the season. The effort is there, but you can work hard but if you don’t make shots it’s for nothing.”

Tomas Franco’s 11 points and five rebounds led the Bronchos.

Travis Howard, Javorian Guyton and Brock Lee added six points each.

Al Duvall’s 26 points led the Matadors. Jamar Johnson added six points and 10 rebounds.