Sophomore squad loses in district semi-final action

The Mountain Home Tigers boys sophomore basketball team came up short against Middleton last Monday night (Feb. 18), 41-39, in the semi-finals of the District III 4A Sophomore Boys Basketball Tournament at Skyview.

Mountain Home, who split with the Vikings during the regular season, winning at Middleton and losing at home, fell behind, 11-5, after a quarter. The Tigers held Middleton to just four points in the second period and battled back to within one, 15-14, at the half.

The Vikings put up 16 points on the scoreboard in the third quarter, and built up a 31-24 lead heading into the final quarter.

Mountain Home battled back to within two and had their chances, but fell short, 41-39.

"It was a tough game at the end," said Tiger sophomore coach Matt Bundy. "We had a great comeback in the fourth quarter that fell a little short in the end. The game went down to the last possession."

Damian Soliz led the Tigers in scoring with 12 points. David Bitrick and Christian Halbach-Patterson both added nine, Brock Morris, seven, and Tom Hennessey, two.

"It was an excellent season," said Coach Bundy. "We were conference champions, third in district and had a 15-5 overall record. They are great kids, a real pleasure to coach!"