Matadors lose ‘heartbreaker’ in overtime
BY ADAM ZUVANICH l AVALANCHE JOURNAL
Spotted: Estacado falls in 3A State Title Game
AUSTIN – If high school basketball enthusiasts in Texas weren’t aware of Kevin Wagner’s uncanny talents before this week, they certainly are now.
Estacado’s sophomore point guard dazzled fans at the Frank Erwin Center with his quickness, leaping ability, shooting touch and basketball acumen, and he helped take the Matadors to the verge of winning their first state championship – and the first title for a Lubbock ISD program since 1965.
The 5-foot-8 Wagner poured in 27 points in Thursday’s semifinal win and was at it again Saturday morning in the Class 3A championship game against top-ranked Dallas Madison, scoring 16 points and making a handful of highlight-reel plays. But when he had a chance to deliver that elusive title, he finally flinched.
Wagner missed a free throw with six seconds remaining in regulation that would have broken a tie and possibly won the game, and Madison eventually outlasted Estacado for a 68-66 overtime victory.
Kevin Wagner drives between Dallas Madison's Simeon Brinkley(left) and James Higgins during the Class 3A State Championship of the UIL Boys State Tournament on Saturday at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. (Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
“He’s disappointed in that deal,” said Estacado head coach Tony Wagner, Kevin’s father. “That’s a situation where you almost have to step aside from being a coach and start being a father.”
Although the narrow loss will surely sting both Wagners and the rest of the Matadors for a long time to come, it might also provide the impetus for Estacado to make similar runs in the future. Dallas Madison coach Damien Mobley tabbed Kevin Wagner as a Division I-caliber player while pointing out he’s still just a sophomore, and Tony Wagner said earlier this week that his son still has his growth spurt ahead of him.
Estacado also will return 6-1 sophomore guard Clarence Willard – who came off the bench to score 30 points in two state-tournament games – and 6-8 center Tavien Rosemond.
“It’s a tough situation,” Tony Wagner said, “but I’m sure that (Kevin will) learn from it and move on and be a better person and a better player for that.”
For now, though, the second-ranked Matadors (34-3) are left to lick their wounds and wonder what could have been as Madison (33-4) celebrates its second state championship and first since 1997. Estacado scratched and clawed for 36 minutes and put itself in position to win, but the team fell just short as Madison senior Dominique Smith sank two free throws with six seconds left in overtime to seal the victory.
“It’s a heartbreaker for us,” said Estacado senior Jamal Stewart, a 6-3 forward who finished with eight points, nine rebounds and game highs of four steals and four blocked shots.
Senior forward Jamar Johnson added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Estacado – his second double-double in as many state-tournament games – and he scored nine of the Matadors’ 13 points in overtime.
Another senior, guard Jourdain Irvin, sent the game to overtime by draining a tying 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was his only basket on Saturday.
“We knew it was going to be a battle coming into this deal, and I felt like our kids fought tooth and nail,” Tony Wagner said. “I love the way they responded. We just had some balls not bounce our way.”
The Matadors hurt themselves with a 5-of-15 showing from the free-throw line – Kevin Wagner was 3 of 10 – and Madison wasn’t much better for most of the game. The Trojans finished 10 of 18 from the line, but they made them when it mattered most.
They sank their last four foul shots and were 7 of 9 in overtime, and none were more critical than Smith’s pair at the end.
“(The basket) looked real small, like I was on the other side of the court,” said Smith, who earned most valuable player honors after scoring a game-high 19 points. “But I had to step up for our team and knock down some big free throws.”
Mobley, whose team also got 17 rebounds from Nick Moore and a combined 32 points from cousins Desmond and Timothy Flentroy, said it “feels wonderful” to see his players’ hard work pay off with a championship.
Tony Wagner, who after the game told his team there were “two winners” on Saturday, expressed similar feelings about the Matadors.
“I’ve never been so proud of a group of kids,” he said. “Nine years ago we showed up in Lubbock and these guys were fourth-graders or third-graders, and the commitment they’ve shown to our program and the way they’ve represented Lubbock, they’ve always been a class act. I’m just very, very proud of this group of kids.”
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CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
At Frank Erwin Center, Austin
DALLAS MADISON 68, ESTACADO 66, OT
MADISON – Harris 1 1-5 3, Moore 3 1-2 7, T. Flentroy 8 1-1 17, D. Flentroy 5 4-6 15, Smith 8 2-2 19, Armstrong 0 0-0 0, Brinkley 0 0-0 0, Higgins 3 1-2 7, Garrett 0 0-0 0. Totals 28 10-18 68.
ESTACADO – J. Johnson 7 0-1 16, Stewart 3 2-4 8, Wagner 6 3-10 16, Du. Minjarez 0 0-0 0, Irvin 1 0-0 3, D.J. Minjarez 0 0-0 0, Davis 0 0-0 0, Willard 8 0-0 17, Williams 0 0-0 0, Rosemond 3 0-0 6. Totals 28 5-15 66.
Madison 12 13 14 14 15 - 68
Estacado 12 13 12 16 13 - 66
3-point goals: Madison 2 (D. Flentroy, Smith), Estacado 5 (J. Johnson 2, Wagner, Irvin, Willard). Total fouls: Madison 17, Estacado 17. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none. Records: Madison 33-4, Estacado 34-3.
Game day blog
Estacado set to play for title – 10:41 am
Madison off to the races – 10:44 am
Estacado roars back … and then Madison does – 10:49 am
Game tied after one quarter, I think – 10:54 am
No scoreboard love after all – 10:57 am
Back-and-forth half ends in a tie – 11:21 am
Madison hot to start second half – 11:35 am
Mats within striking distance after three – 11:42 am
Mats still down, but not out – 11:48 am
We could be in for another thrilling finish – 11:55 am
Madison increases lead to three, less than one minute left – 11:59 am
What a finish … to regulation – 12:05 pm
Trojans trying to take control – 12:08 pm
Estacado still down, still has a chance – 12:14 pm
Heartbreak for Estacado: Madison holds on 68-66 – 12:21 pm
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Congrats on a great season Matadors!!
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Nothing to be ashamed of. Fantastic season and just barely short of the title. Thanks for representing Lubbock so well men.
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Keep your heads up high; you guys did awesome to get this far! From a Matador Alum
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Guys you are still #1 I am so proud of you all. Hats off for a heck of a year. Jamar, DJ W, DJ M, Juice, Jordan and Duran you guys are a class act I know you will be playing for a college and doing the same thing you did for Estacado. “GOOD LUCK GUYS” I PRAY THAT GOD WILL GUIDE YOU ALL THRU OUT YOUR FUTURE.
TO THE REST OF THE EHS MATADOR TEAM I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU ALL MAKING IT TO STATE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
COACH WAG YOU ARE ONE HECK OF A COACH!!!!!!!!
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Hey Guys,,, Great job this year… nothing to be ashamed about…. Way to represent Lubbock…..
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Great job ! We are proud of the way this team represented the distrct. Keep your heads up.
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Way to go Mats! We are so so so proud of your accomplishments. Keep your heads high and enjoy the success of the season. One loss at the end is not a ruination. Your parents, friends and families are all so thrilled for you.
EHS always! Lubbock is proud of you
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Way to go young men. Keep up the good work. Very proud of you.
Class of 1979
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What a great game! You guys did a wonderful job!
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Way to go guy. Lubbock should be so proud of all you and all your hard work.
Class of 06.
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Thanks for representing our district so well. We play some great basketball out here in west Texas and now everyone knows it! Hats off and good luck in the future.
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Heads up Mats, we are very proud of you. God Bless each one of you and we look forward to next year. To the Seniors we look forward to seeing you playing with some lucky College.
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Congratulations mighty Matadors! You are Champions…You have made me proud to be a Matador! Class of 77! Hail, all hail, to you Estacado!!!!!!
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Great season Mats! You should be very proud of yourselves. You are all champions in my book!
From a former LHS Westerner basketball player.
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Thanks Mats for one of the most exciting games I have ever watched.
I have followed you guys through the season knowing you had something special, and you did not disappoint. Great season guys, be proud of your selves and get back in the gym and prepare for next season.
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Great season! Kids are great! Lubbock should be very proud.
From a former Dunbar player!
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What a great game! You guys represented ALL Matadors, past and present with class and heart! I was fortunate to sit near the Father of Coach Wagner during the game and I could sense the calm and focused spirit he exhibited. I am sure that Coach Wagner and the entire Matador team will benefit from the spirit of the Wagner patriarch. My congratulations to the entire Wagner Family. Go Matadors!
HW
Class of ‘73
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you guys keep your head up and don’t cry I will do that for you
matador for life class 1986
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Congrats MATADORS!!! You have made us all so proud. Thanks for being the BEST.
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The Matadors were only a bounce or two away from being State Champions. I was impressed with their poise and athleticism.
They are a well coached team and played as a TEAM. That’s not always the case with talented teams.
It hurts to lose a close game at anytime so I can imagine how it feels to lose a State Championship game in OT. Only a few in life get a chance to experience the thrill of victory or agony of defeat of a State Championship game. Memories for a lifetime.
There’s nothing to be a shame of Matadors. Your style and game were appreciated and noticed from a lot of people around the state of Texas. I live in Houston now and once played in the GREAT Dunbar/Estacado rivalry.
You guys have represented Estacado, it’s community and the city of Lubbock in a admirable manner.
Kevin, Clarence gather the troops and start working on bringing home next year what should have been yours this year.
Congratulations!!! I am proud to have been at the game.
Dunbar Class of 83
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Hey guys way to go.I am so very pround of you guys, you guys did a wonderful job. Dont be upset we wll get it next year,and I will be right there to cheer you guys on to victory. I love both of my sons Butt and Clarence,and I love all of my kids on the team . See you guys next year!!!
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