By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
LAKE CHARLES — Falling behind 10-0 to a two-time defending state champion favored to make it three it a row is no way to start a playoff game, but the Bossier Bearkats bounced back strong Tuesday at Marsh Madness.
But they couldn’t seal the deal as a gritty comeback slipped away in the final 3:35 and No. 1-seeded Wossman escaped Burton Coliseum with a 55-49 Non-Select Division II state boys basketball semifinal triumph.
The fourth-seeded Bearkats gradually recovered from the rough start. They trailed 19-8 after the first period, and chipped away for a 28-21 halftime deficit. Coach Justin Collins’ squad came out of halftime on fire, using a 10-3 run to draw even at 31.
But Wossman (24-7) didn’t give up the lead quite yet, and when Bossier (27-15) got on top in the final period, it didn’t last long.
The Wildcats seemed poised to regain control ending the third quarter before Braylon Robinson hurried downcourt in transition in the final five seconds and banked in a running 3-pointer at the buzzer to get the Bearkats within 43-40 entering the final period.
That launched a string of seven unanswered points and more impressively, some lockdown defense by Bossier. Wossman didn’t manage to score a basket from the floor for the first 5 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter. Trouble was, Bossier was also off the mark offensively after Ethan Dodson’s drive on the left baseline produced a layup to boost the ‘Kats ahead 44-43.
Wossman, held scoreless for the first four minutes in the quarter, got a free throw to tie it and retook the lead on a steal and three-quarters court drive and layup by Roosevelt Dean. He also made four free throws in the final 31 seconds to lock down the win for the Wildcats, after Bossier’s Rod Dillard made a steal and layup to draw the Bearkats within one possession at 52-49.
Bossier made its fifth semifinal appearance in seven years and its third in four seasons under coach Justin Collins. Robinson and reserve Javores Smith are the only seniors on the team.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com