The Tiger’s boys basketball team got their third District 19-3A loss at the hands of Troy freshman sensation Tyler Jarolik in an emotion-packed 57-56 overtime loss. RHS is 0-3 in district and 10-10 overall.
“I have to do a better job of coaching,” said Sean Coleman, Rockdale High School boy’s head basketball coach. “That was the difference between a win and a loss to me.”
The game was a close matchup with Rockdale leading 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, and Troy leading 20-18 at halftime.
In the second half, the game stayed close, but the Tigers had trouble stopping Jarolik, who scored 44 points in the game. Jarolik, who was named 2017 Newcomer of the Year in district as a freshman, hit six three pointers in the second half.
Rockdale was up 43-37 in the final two minutes of the game with the help of Ryker Zinn’s free throws and a Kelan Evans three-pointer. Then Jarolik made up the difference, scoring Troy’s last ten points to make the score tied at 47 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Jarolik took over once again with two three-pointers. The game came down to the final play with the Tigers down one with two seconds left in the game. Zinn made the inbound pass to center court, which led to a loose ball. Mason Monzingo got the ball and tossed a half-court shot that rolled around the rim before missing the cylinder, leading to a 57-56 loss for the Tigers.
Evans and Monzingo were the top scorers for Rockdale with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
“Zero and three is not where we want to be,” Coleman said. “But we have to fight and take things one game at a time.”
Rockdale played Rogers Tuesday after press time. The Tigers play in Franklin on 7:45 p.m., Friday.
According to Texas Basketball Magazine, the Lions are picked to place first in district 19-3A and return last year’s defensive MVP Datron Dixon and first-team all-district selections Jace Leamon and Jared Pedraza.
Franklin started district with a 45-41 win over the Cameron Yoemen, who are picked second. Coming back from the break, the Lions lost a home game to McGregor 48-45, a team the Tigers lost to 54-53 in December.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.