Mamou loses to Welsh in playoff

ELTON-- The Mamou Demon let a tremendous opportunity slip through their hands Friday night when they fell to the Welsh Greyhounds 64-53 in a playoff to decide which team would represent District 4-2A as the first place team.
With each team winning on their home court during the district season and each team earning the title of co-champions, a playoff game was necessary for one valuable reason; the winner would get a much needed extra power point to bolster their ranking before the playoff bracket is released tomorrow.
Mamou came into the extra contest Friday night as the No. 23 ranked team. The win would have helped the Demons to improve on that ranking.
“We just did not play consistent enough tonight to get the win,” said Mamou head coach John Jack. “Now we have to wait and see where we will be when the playoff brackets are announced Monday.”
The two teams went after each other right from the start of the game. A three-point bucket from the Greyhounds with 20 seconds left in the first quarter tied the score at 9-9.
A three-point basket at the buzzer by Mamou’s Lil Paul Williams looked good but was waived off by the referees, keeping the game tied as the quarter ended.
Both clubs were able to make runs in the second quarter, with neither team gaining more than a seven point advantage throughout the quarter.
With Mamou trailing 23-16 at the 2:59 mark, the Demons went on a 7-0 run to knot the game at 23-23 going into the locker room.
The first five minutes of the third quarter reflected the two previous quarters, with each team trading baskets.
Mamou trailed 32-27 at the 3:45 mark, but found a way to reel off five points to tie the game at 32-32.
The Greyhounds answered resoundingly, going on a 13-0 run in the final three minutes of the quarter; a run that Mamou could not overcome for the rest of the game.
The Demons fought valiantly in the final period, cutting the lead back down to seven twice; at the 3:48 mark and at the 1:46 mark.
But, in the end it was the great shooting of the Greyhounds that allowed them to close the game out and take the win.
Russell Edwards led all Demon players with 20 points.
Mamou ends the season with an overall record of 16-14.
“They (Welsh) created opportunities for themselves,” stated Jack. “We have got to learn how to finish plays. I think in the end what gave them the advantage is they have a lot of seniors with a tremendous amount of experience. Still, I am proud of our players.”