Burnet puts game away at line

January 16, 2013, 2:00 pm by Jim Goodson

               Burnet connected on 21 of 24 free throws (87 percent) to stay undefeated in District 8-3A play by downing the Llano Lady Jackets 50-39 in a spirited game at the LHS gym.
               Llano’s girls hit on six of their 17 free throws (35 percent) and that was the biggest difference between the two teams. Llano is 2-2 and 12-18. Burnet is 4-0 and 15-9.
               Two of the district’s better scorers heated up the gym on a bitter cold night. Llano’s Cierra Jordan and Burnet’s Riley Scott both displayed top-notch all-around games on their way to 24 and 25 points, respectively.
               When LHS’ Jordan hit a three-point shot with 1:15 left in the third quarter, the Lady Jackets pulled to within one point at 29-28 and everyone braced for an exciting finish. But after Jordan and Burnet’s Sarah Poe battled for the ball, refs called a pushing foul on Jordan, causing LHS fans and coach Daryl Friedrich to howl in protest.
               It was a typically rough play in a roughly-played game. Most would say Jordan was mugged underneath the Burnet basket after claiming an offensive rebound.
               So Poe hit both free throws and after a Llano miss, BHS sharpshooter Scott hit an 18-footer as the buzzer sounded, giving the visitors a 33-28 lead with a quarter to play.
               Burnet outscored Llano 17-11 the rest of the way. Llano fans had plenty to cheer about, though.
               For more on this story, see Wednesday's Journal.