Dillos Hoops’ Resilient Comeback Comes Up Short Against Freer

The San Saba High School boys varsity basketball team wrapped up a memorable 2021-22 season this past week as the Dillos were in Class 2A playoff action against Sabinal High School in the bi-district round and Freer High School in the area round.

San Saba Dillos 68, Sabinal Yellowjackets 67

In one of the better high school basketball games played in recent memory, the Dillos and Yellowjackets traded blows for the entirety of the contest as San Saba ground out a thrilling

68-67 victory over Sabinal in the bi-district playoffs held at neutral site Schreiner University down in Kerrville.

Thanks to the late heroics of San Saba senior standout guard Reagan Mejia and his gamehigh 31 points, the Dillos pulled off a huge win. With less than one second remaining and the Dillos trailing 67-66, Mejia was fouled while shooting and was sent to the free-throw line with a chance to take the lead. With ice in his veins, the cool and collected Mejia knocked down both attempts at the line to seal the victory as he was mobbed on the court by his very happy teammates.

The Yellowjackets led by as many as six points over the Dillos early in the third quarter but San Saba was able to go on a run of its own and led by four in the second half.

In addition to Mejia’s outstanding 31-point effort, the Dillos played great as a team and got another great clutch performance from fellow senior guard Drake Bryant with 16 points.

It was back-and-forth down the stretch with these two teams who are quite familiar with one another. This was a rematch of last season’s regional quarterfinal matchup as a very seniorheavy and talented Sabinal team was able to escape with a 46-43 win over the upset-minded San Saba boys squad.

San Saba Dillos 37, Freer Buckaroos 43

Despite the Dillos getting off to a rough start offensively in the first quarter, San Saba kept pace with Freer and was within striking distance down just 22-14 at halftime in Friday night’s area round game held at neutral site New Braunfels High School.

The Dillos, who then fell behind by as many as 13 points in the second half to the Buckaroos, made a resilient rally in the fourth quarter to get to within just four points. Unfortunately, the rally was not enough as Freer kept San Saba at bay down the stretch of the game with a 43-37 victory for the Buckaroos. Although San Saba had a tough time scoring against Freer, they played a superb game defensively throughout.

The Dillos had a great 2021-22 season under head coach Mark Kyle and finished with a 20-9 overall record with a superb 11-1 mark as District 29-2A champions. Congratulations to seniors Drake Bryant, Franco Franco, and Reagan Mejia for their great careers in a San Saba uniform.

Be sure to check out next week’s edition of the San Saba News & Star for more updates on Dillos and Lady Dillos varsity athletics. Sports editor Andrew Salmi can be contacted via email at salmi.courier@ gmail.com or by cell phone at (818) 645-1115.