Spartans snap Tigers' 5-game win streak

Mountain Home's win streak reached five before the Minico Spartans beat the Tigers last Friday night at Minico.

Mountain Home 58, Gooding 41

Mountain Home improved to 5-0 on the season with a 58-41 win over the Gooding Senators last week in Gooding.

The first half was close, with Mountain Home taking a 13-9 into the second quarter, and went into the locker room at halftime with a 27-22 lead.

The Tigers managed to put some distance between them and the Senators in the second half, upping their lead to 43-30 after three,and going on to their 58-41 win.

"We still aren't playing our best basketball, but the team is finding ways to get the job done," said Tigers coach Brion Bethel. "Different guys are stepping up and doing a great job, even though it's not reflected in the points column.

"Garrett McKenzie played a fantastic game doing all the non-glamorous things that helped us get the win. I'm hoping that it's contagious and everyone continues to improve their game," the coach added.

Jarek Schetzle and Jymon Garretson both scored in double figures for the Tigers. Shetzle had 16 and Garretson 15. Tyler Park netted nine points, Christen Riedel seven, Brion Bethel Jr. had six, Marcus Egusquiza three and Garrett McKenzie two.

Minico 66, Mountain Home 61

The Tigers fell behind by double digits in the second half and were unable to make up the deficit, losing to the Spartans 66-61 Friday night at Minico.

The first quarter went back and forth, with Minico up by two after a quarter.

Three-point baskets by Jymon Garretson and Christen Riedel to start the second quarter gave the Tigers a 14-10 lead and they enjoyed their biggest lead, 24-19, with about two minutes left in the first half.

Minico then went on an 8-0 run to end the first half and took a 27-24 lead into the locker room.

The Spartans extended their lead in the third quarter, going ahead 47-35 as the teams entered the fourth quarter. Minico's biggest lead was 14 points, 51-37, with 6:30 left in the game.

That's when Mountain Home put together a rally that brought them back to within four, 59-55, and 61-57, but the Spartans were able to cash in from the free-throw line to hold off the Tigers for a 66-61 win.

"The team played hard. We just couldn't get shots to fall when we needed them," Coach Bethel said. "Minico executed and played a great game."

Jarek Schetzle led Mountain Home with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Jymon Garretson added 12 points, Christen Riedel scored seven, Jermaine Smith six, Marcus Egusquiza five, Tyler Park four, and Garrett McKenzie and Brion Bethel Jr. both scored three points.

Mountain Home shot 41 percent from the field, but hit just five of 25 three-point shots. They only went to the free-throw line five times, converting just two.

Minico shot 39 percent from the field and hit four of its 12 long balls. The big difference in the game was at the foul line, where the Spartans went 26 times, putting in 20 of them for 77 percent.

The 5-1 Tigers are off this week, returning to action next week at the Twin Falls Holiday Tournament, which begins Monday. The Tigers will open the tourney at 4:30 p.m. against Century.