On Wednesday, February 21, the boys basketball team took on the Mullen Mustangs at home in their first playoff game of the 2017-18 season. After four high-energy quarters of play, the SaberCats suffered a (38-65) loss, ending their playoff run.

The starting lineup for the Cats included Brandon Lambrecht, Garrett Ripsam, Calvin Marley, Tommy Croft, and Drew Cornmesser. The Cats came out strong in the first few minutes, with Ripsam scoring the first two shots of the game.

Fossil was dominating the court in the first quarter. Calvin Marley bodied up against a Mullen defender and was able to put a few layups away.

Croft was fouled a few possessions after Marley’s completion, and made both of his free throw shots. Fossil was up (6-2) with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter.

However, the Mustangs came back and tied the game (6-6) with just about 3 minutes left.

Towards the end of the first, Sam Osius fouled a Mullen point guard, and the Mustangs took a (13-10) lead over the SaberCats. That was the score at the end of the first quarter; play had gone back and forth between the two teams very evenly.

In the first minute of the second quarter, Holdyn Kawcak battled through Mullen’s paint for a layup, and on Fossil’s following possession, Osius sunk a three point shot. The Cats were down (15-16) after Osius basket.

Mullen went to work in Fossil paint, and pulled away from the Cats. The game went from a one point game to a twelve point game in the second quarter.

By the end of the first half, Fossil Ridge was down (15-33).

Possession went back and forth between both teams in the beginning of the third, and towards the end of the quarter, Ripsam hit a three point shot, but Fossil was still behind, (25-46).

At the end of the third quarter, Fossil was down (29-54).

The Cats were able to hold Mullen to one basket in the fourth quarter, but unfortunately couldn’t make a comeback to take the win. The boys playoff run ended, along with their season, as they lost (38-65) to the Mustangs.

Great work this season boys, your fans are looking forward to next year! Best of luck to the seniors, thank you for your contributions and commitment to the Fossil Ridge basketball program.