So far, so good, but Osborn’s offense still needs plenty of work.
The Tigers struggled offensively, making just four field goals in the second half, as Belton lost 45-39 to Lampasas on Tuesday night at Tiger Gym in the season opener for both teams.
“I really thought we rattled them defensively and really put ourselves where we should have won,” said Osborn, whose team forced 28 turnovers. “When it really comes down to it, we just have to put some shots down. I felt like we had good open looks and our shot selection was good, but it’s just a matter of stepping up and putting the ball down.”
Belton went 1-for-15 in the final quarter and finished 12-for-55 from the field, including 2-for-22 from 3-point range.
Saquonne Crump’s free throw gave Belton a 38-37 lead with 1:20 remaining, but Lampasas’ Jacob Maceyra made a steal and fed Heath Hopson for a basket to give the Badgers the lead with 1:09 left.
After Lampasas coach Scott Harrelson was called for a technical foul, Belton’s Trey Lippincott sank a free throw to tie the game at 39. The Tigers didn’t take advantage and were whistled for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to the Badgers.
“I didn’t like some of the mental breakdowns we had in the last couple minutes,” Osborn said. “That was the probably the big turn right there and we just never really recovered.”
Lampasas point guard Clay Tyner connected on two free throws with 1:03 left for a 41-39 lead.
The Tigers missed three attempts on the next two possessions and Tyner added three more free throws, the final pair coming with 14.4 seconds left for a 44-39 lead.
“I was real worried down the stretch because a couple calls went against us and I reacted and almost cost my team the game,” said fifth-year coach Harrelson. “They showed a lot of poise down the stretch and they weren’t scared. In the past, the team has been scared and we had a hard time winning.
“What was real special is the kids stepped up and won the game. These kids have worked real hard. Our football team went all season not winning a game and our school and our city needed a win badly. For them to step up and finish this way when all the odds were against them says a lot about our guys. It’s a good way to start the season.”
Nick Shelburne led the Tigers with 14 points. He was the only Belton player to make a field goal in the second half and scored 11 of the Tigers’ 16 second-half points.
Heath Cofield scored all 10 of Lampasas’ third-quarter points and finished with a team-high 14. Tyner added 13 and Hopson had 10 for the Badgers.
“I was really expecting this group to be a little better shooting outside at this point but I think we’ll get there,” Osborn said. “The main thing is when you take guys out of their comfort zones and new schemes, they’re doing so much thinking about other things, it’s hard to step up and shoot the ball.”
Belton will face Justin Northwest at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Gym.
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
