Boys basketball: Gary West Side can’t complete rally

Updated: December 23, 2011 9:03PM

INDIANAPOLIS — West Side found itself in an all-too-familiar position against Indianapolis T.C. Howe on Saturday at the IPSAC-Midwest Showcase.

Facing a double-digit deficit, the Cougars were forced to rally late in the game, which they nearly did before losing 54-49.

“Out of six games this is our fourth time where we’ve found ourselves having to come back from a double-digit deficit and that wears on you,” West Side coach Winston Garland said.

Both teams struggled offensively early as Howe took a 15-14 lead into halftime. The Hornets (3-2) then opened the third quarter on a 15-6 run.

Howe coach Michael Elliott thought his team’s 1-3-1 zone gave West Side trouble, which led to easier offensive opportunities.

“Our guys got a little more aggressive then we got the ball up the court and were able to get transition buckets,” he said.

West Side (3-3) later trailed 39-28 with just under seven minutes remaining. It’s when the Cougars mounted their best rally of the game.

Rashaad Armstrong scored five points on consecutive possessions, bringing West Side to within a point with three minutes remaining.

The Cougars had four possessions in the final three minutes when they could have tied or taken the lead, but didn’t convert on any.

“(Rallying) is always a good sign, but my thing is how much does that beat you up mentally?” Garland said. After the game, Garland held a team meeting that lasted nearly 30 minutes.

“If I had to touch on one thing it’s our focus in the paint,” Garland said. “We executed well enough to get point blank shots, but we couldn’t make them.”

West Side shot 15 of 55 from the field and made just 1 of 15 attempts from beyond the arc.

Garland lamented his team’s recent execution in practice, noting too many players don’t go to the basket strong.

“Guess what? In the game, the same thing,” Garland said. “That’s my biggest disappointment — the lack of focus around the basket offensively and defensively.”

Regan Atkins led West Side with 13 points, while Armstrong added 12. Brandon Wilson led Howe with 12 points.

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