The Marble Falls Mustangs put up a tough defensive fight but couldn’t overcome the Burnet Bulldogs in a closely contested District 24-4A boys’ basketball game. Burnet secured a 38-30 victory on February 7, splitting the season series with Marble Falls. Despite a strong defensive effort that kept them in the game, the Mustangs struggled to find their rhythm offensively.
Burnet Takes Early Lead and Maintains Control
The Bulldogs (17-16, 6-5) set the tone early, taking a 4-0 lead and never looking back. Senior post Aidan Holcomb played a key role in the first quarter, scoring 10 points and helping Burnet establish a 16-8 advantage. By halftime, the Bulldogs were ahead 19-10, and two minutes into the third quarter, they stretched the lead to 24-12.
Marble Falls, however, showed resilience. They went on an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to just one point at 24-23. But Burnet’s Jaden Backus responded, sinking three of four free throws to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 27-23 heading into the final quarter.
Mustangs’ Defense Keeps Them in the Game
Despite their offensive struggles, the Mustangs’ defense kept them competitive. Head coach John Berkman praised his team’s defensive intensity, saying,
“The positive is we played really, really good defense – that’s a positive. This is good because our defense kept us in it.”
With four minutes left, sophomore guard Beckett Berkman scored on an offensive rebound to bring the Mustangs within three points at 31-28. Senior guard Isaiah Lazos later added another basket on a backdoor cut assisted by senior post Noah Lyon. However, those were the last points Marble Falls would score as Burnet closed out the game with free throws and solid defensive stops.
Key Performers for Burnet and Marble Falls
Aidan Holcomb led all scorers with 18 points for Burnet, followed by Jaden Backus with 9. Senior Marcus Pimentel added 5 points, while Hayden Cox and J.J. Whigham each contributed 3.
For Marble Falls, senior forward Garen Jones led with 8 points. Senior forward Reed Lewis followed with 6, while senior guard Tidus Willie, junior center Cam Plumlee, and sophomore forward Marc Barrios each scored 4. Lazos and Beckett Berkman finished with 2 points apiece.
Playoff Picture and Final Games
Both teams have secured playoff spots but in different divisions. Marble Falls and Lampasas will compete in Class 4A Division I (big school), while Burnet and Georgetown Gateway will enter Class 4A Division II (small school). The playoffs are set to begin on February 17.
Before the postseason, Burnet will face Jarrell, while Marble Falls will host Salado on February 11. Subvarsity games start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity matches at 6:30 p.m.
Marble Falls coach John Berkman reflected on his team’s effort, saying,
“I’m just really proud of the effort. We played hard all the way to the end. Things just didn’t bounce our way.”
Despite the loss, the Mustangs’ strong defense and resilience throughout the game show promise as they prepare for the upcoming playoffs.
