The Taylor Ducks boys varsity basketball team dropped a 46-29 decision to the Gateway Preparatory Gators on Friday, Jan. 30, extending its losing streak to seven games. With the loss, Taylor fell to 13-14 overall and 1-7 in district play.
Despite the continued struggles in district competition, head coach Stephen Gibson emphasized that the Ducks’ youth and lack of varsity experience have played a significant role in the team’s growing pains this season.
“We are relatively young, and we have a lot of guys out there who are still trying to figure things out, so it’s more like we’re teaching,” Gibson said. “We don’t have many players with varsity experience, and it’s a completely different game when you’re coming up from JV or middle school.”
Taylor came out strong in the opening quarter, showing early confidence on the offensive end. The Ducks jumped out to an 8-2 lead behind a three-pointer from senior shooting guard Braylon Strait, setting the tone early.
Taylor maintained control through the remainder of the quarter and carried an 8-3 advantage into the second period.
The pace slowed considerably in the second quarter as both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively. Gateway Preparatory began to settle in, going on an 11-6 run to erase Taylor’s lead and tie the game at 14 heading into halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. The Gators ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and converting them into points in transition.
Gateway Preparatory outscored Taylor 18-6 in the period, opening up a 32-20 lead entering the final quarter.
Taylor was unable to recover from the deficit, scoring just nine points in the fourth quarter as the Gators maintained control and closed out the win.
Offensively, the Ducks once again struggled to shoot efficiently, finishing the game at 33 percent from the field. Gateway Preparatory shot slightly better at 35 percent but made the biggest impact defensively.
The Gators recorded 21 steals on the night, many of which led directly to fastbreak opportunities. Taylor was also outrebounded 36-32, limiting second-chance scoring chances.
Sophomore guard Markell Fitzgerald led the Ducks offensively, continuing to be a bright spot during a challenging stretch of the season.
Despite the losses piling up, Gibson remains encouraged by his team’s effort and resilience.
“A lot of people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes,” Gibson said. “These kids are really trying to win and give it their all, and they’ve never lost their fight.”
Taylor returned to action Tuesday against Burnet and will continue district play on the road at Marble Falls on Friday, Feb. 6, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
