On Jan. 30, the second place Archie Williams boys varsity basketball team matched up against the Tamalpais Hawks team who is fourth in Marin County Athletic League (MCAL). Before the game, the Falcons celebrated Owen Bugas, Julian Nichol, and Alex Martikan for senior night. The Falcons and Hawks battled through a very competitive game that came down to the wire. Archie Williams won 63-53, maintaining the second seed in MCAL.
“They’re great leaders [the seniors], they are really great role models for our younger guys, and I can’t say enough about them,” said head coach Russel Bauer.
The game started right from the tip off as Tam got out to an early 0-9 lead. Similar to the Novato game last week, the Falcons had to play from behind the whole quarter because of their slow start. The Hawks hit five three-pointers in the quarter which helped them boost their lead. Even though Archie Williams started to sink some shots near the end, Tam won this quarter 11-22.
The Falcons needed to go on some point-scoring runs in the second quarter to keep the game within reach. Archie Williams came into this quarter with that on their mind as they would go on an 11-1 run to start the quarter. From then on, the game remained very close with both teams hitting some clutch shots for lead changes. The Hawks ended the half winning by just two points 32-34.
In the third quarter, it was very defensive on both sides. This would end up being the lowest scoring quarter with Tam leading for the majority of it. It started off with a three-pointer from senior Julian Nichol to put them in the lead by one. But then the Hawks found their lead back and kept it for the rest of the quarter winning it 42-40.
In the fourth quarter, Archie Williams found their stride and controlled the game offensively and defensively. Tam led for the first part of it, but once the Falcons got their groove offensively, the Hawks could not find an answer. The Falcons went on an 11-2 run to seal their lead and win at 63-53 on senior night.
“We are a really resilient group and we came back, that’s what we do,” said senior captain Owen Bugas.
The Falcons will soar over to Redwood’s home court on Thursday, Feb. 1 in a game that could potentially decide the two seed in MCAL.
