Bulldogs clinch playoff berth with historic win

The Bandera Bulldogs rolled over the Fredericksburg Billies for the first time since 2014.

The final score was Bandera 55 to Fredericksburg 51.

“Tuesday night was a big win for our program, snapping a 15-game losing streak against Fredericksburg, a perennial playoff power, to clinch a playoff berth, and doing it in front of a huge home crowd, is a great accomplishment our kids should be proud of,” said Coach Brady Keane.

“They put in so much work in an empty gym starting in March of 2021, because they were committed to reaching this point,” he continued. “We set four goals at the beginning of the season: win a tournament championship, win 20 games, make the playoffs and win a playoff game. We’re three for four so far and are really excited about having the opportunity to work toward that fourth goal over the next two weeks.”

The Bulldogs started the first quarter with some great rebounding from senior Liam De Marche. At the two-minute mark of the first quarter, the score was tied up 9-9. Senior Gavin Ortiz put in a basket to bring the score for the Bulldogs up to 11. The Billies scored two more baskets to end the quarter, Billies 13 to Bulldogs 11.

During the second quarter, Luke Barnett put in a two and Noah Barnett followed with another two-point shot. The Bulldogs looked scrappy but were taking their time offensively to set up and play their style of game. Falling behind the Billies by four points, the Bulldogs came back in the last four minutes to score two three pointers by Tyler Moore and Noah Barnett. Going into the half, Bandera stood just a point behind the Billies at 23 to Fredericksburg’s 24.

The Bulldogs came back from half-time with an aggressive style of play and improved shooting from the three-point line. Noah Barnett came out and knocked back a three to start with. Ryan Perez put in a solid twopoint jump shot and a single point foul shot. Noah Barnett made another three-point shot while Tyler Moore scored a basket from the lane and drew two foul shots to make a four-point play. Noah Barnett took possession of the ball on a fast break and fed it to Ryan Perez who made another three-point shot.

The third quarter was truly a “battle of the threes.” Going into the last two minutes De Marche came roaring back to play when he made two shots bringing the Bulldogs to 42 to the Billies 36. At this point, the Billies looked stunned by the upset in the making.

The fourth quarter saw the Bulldogs play come alive. Tyler Moore showed off his fast break skills and recovered his shot’s rebound to make a two from the side. De Marche drew a foul under the net and added one to the scoreboard.

At the five-minute mark, the Bulldogs were up 5 points over the Billies. Noah Barnett fed a pass to De Marche and he made a two point shot. Perez drew another foul and made his mark at the foul line by putting all of them in the basket. Senior Luke Barnett came in and out of the game as needed. He and Tyler Moore put the squeeze on the Billies offense by fighting for the ball every play.

By the seven-minute mark the Bulldogs were up by seven points over a flabbergasted Billies team.

As the Bulldogs extended play by passing amongst themselves, the Billies intentionally fouled to try to get the ball back. That strategy proved inadequate as the Bulldogs went to the foul line and made their shots. The game ended with the Bulldogs triumphing over the Billies 55 to 51.

With this win, the Bulldogs have clinched a playoff berth. They will be the No. 3 seed out of District 28-4A.

The Bulldogs lost to Boerne 54 to 24 on Friday, February 11. They played their final district game against Wimberley at home on Tuesday, February 15. Results of that game were not available by the Bulletin’s press deadline.