02/03/2006
By Chris Roark, Staff Writer

LEWISVILLE - The disappointment from Friday's 86-67 loss to Plano is about as big for the Lewisville boys basketball team as the Plano players are.

Lewisville had a chance to pull within one game of the District 8-5A leading Wildcats, but the loss, coupled with wins from Plano West and Plano East, now has the Farmers out of contention for the district title and one game out of a playoff spot with three games left.

The chance for a better standing looked good for the first half, as Lewisville (18-10, 6-5) trailed by just one (32-31) at halftime despite a major size disadvantage.

But it turned out that Plano's height wasn't as big of a problem as the Farmers' shooting in the third quarter was. Lewisville was 2-for-16 from the field in the third period, while Plano (19-8, 9-2) was 8-for-13. That third period was when the Wildcats went on a run that dug Lewisville a hole.

With the score tied at 34, Plano posted a 13-2 roll and led by nine at the end of the period. Post Joseph Fulce, who was held to six first-half points, scored nine in the third en route to 23 for a game high. For the second half, he was 6-for-8 from inside. Forward John Roberson was also able to get inside as he scored six paint shots in the period.

"We went with a bigger lineup in the third quarter because that usually helps us," coach Henry Thomas said. "But we missed free shots, and we missed free throws. And they made all of theirs."

Plano was 26-for-32 from the free-throw line while Lewisville was an uncharacteristic 23-for-37.

Defensively, Lewisville's plan to pressure the ball didn't work either.

"When they got the ball inside, they still threw it over the top," Thomas said. "When you're 6-foot-6 and 6-7, you can do that."

With six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Plano had extended its lead to 66-46 and led by as much as 24.

For the first half, though, Lewisville relied on free-throw shooting from Cameron Clemons and drives to the hoop from William Weathers. They combined for 17 first-half points.