The Mineola Yellowjackets boys basketball team took a loss last Friday at the hands of the Lone Oak Buffaloes, 63-45. The game featured end-to-end action and intense competitiveness. 

Until the final quarter, the game was a close affair. Lone Oak held a slight edge for the balance of the game, with Mineola always being within reach of the lead. 

Late in the third period, two free throws by Beckham Bowker drew the Jackets within three points.

Lone Oak responded with an inside score. Two timely 3-pointers came in quick succession. Ainsley Steward muscled in an offensive rebound put-back to answer for Mineola, but Lone Oak went to the quarter break with a nine-point edge.

The frantic pace of play continued in the final period. Bowker hit a mid-range jumper, Zane Strange arced in a short jumper from the lane off an inbound play, and Steward added a basket. 

With five minutes yet on the clock, Minela geared up for a final push at the lead. They never got the chance. 

Lone Oak took advantage of Mineola’s aggressiveness by snow-birding long breaks at the changes of possession and went on a game-ending eight-point run. 

Two things stood out in what was an intense, action-packed game. Firstly, most of the damage done by Lone Oak in the opening half was as a result of passes from the low post to a rolling high post, closing the basket. The Yellowjackets will certainly address how to deny this inside-game maneuver. 

The second aspect of the game won’t be so easily addressed, if at all. Last Friday, Lone Oak dressed out 10 players, Mineola eight. In a game as exhausting as this game was, the ability to work in more rest for the five players on the floor can have a significant impact on the outcome.

For Mineola, managing the substitutions throughout a 32-minute game will be a critical part of the season. 

The Yellowjackets host Rains on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. and welcome Longview to Mineola gymnasium on Tuesday, Dec. 2 with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m.