Boys basketball notes: Hanford tired of losing close games

With four regular-season games to go, Hanford High School boys basketball coach Paul Mayer isn’t focused on playoff scenarios or who has the edge in the standings.

He just wants his team to pull through in a close contest.

The Falcons (4-12 overall, 2-8 Mid-Columbia Conference) have lost seven games — five in conference play — by 10 points or fewer.

Their latest setback came Tuesday night at Southridge, where Hanford led by four at halftime before the Suns came back for a 57-47 victory.

“We’re frustrated, but we certainly have not given up on anything,” Mayer said. “The guys are working hard and playing hard. We just need to find a way to finish these games.”

Last Friday at home, Hanford lost to Chiawana 61-59 after Riverhawks big man Jalen King hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds to play.

The Falcons had Kamiakin on the ropes Saturday but missed a 1-and-1 that would have tied it with 7 seconds remaining. The host Braves escaped with a 47-43 win.

“We’ve had lots of chances in the last 2 minutes and haven’t been able to make that happen,” Mayer said. “We’ve certainly gotten better defensively, which gives us more of a chance. It’s just a matter of making the plays at the end and finishing.”

Southridge coach DJ Traver can relate to Mayer’s situation. Last season, the Suns had their share of agonizing losses, including a three-point defeat against Richland and a pair of two-point heartbreakers against Chiawana.

“They’re a scary squad,” Traver said of the Falcons. “Pasco’s kind of similar. Everybody’s really close (in the MCC) with the exception of Richland right now, and Kamiakin’s playing well, too. But Hanford, they’ve got some guys who can score. If they can get things rolling at the end of the season, you never know what can happen.”

Three Hanford players are among the top 12 in scoring in the MCC: Jacob Sivonen (fifth, 16.3 points per game), Tyler Miller (10th, 13.8) and Ben Seaman (12th, 12.8). Will Eldred scored a season-high 18 points in Tuesday’s loss to Southridge.

The Falcons will try to get things moving in the right direction Friday night at home against Walla Walla, which beat them 63-61 in their first meeting. Saturday night, they visit Kennewick, a 68-60 winner over Hanford earlier in the season.

Mayer saw a glimpse of perhaps better things to come when the Falcons took the floor the day after their loss to Southridge.

“I thought (Wednesday) was one of our top three or four practices of the season,” Mayer said. “I’m pleased with the guys. They’re staying with it and trying to figure out the answer to get this turned around.”

’HAWKS VS. ’DOGS: The Pasco High gymnasium will be rocking Friday night, when Chiawana visits its crosstown rival for an MCC girls basketball/wrestling/boys hoops tripleheader. The boys basketball game is scheduled to tip off at 9 p.m.

King played his first two seasons at Pasco before transferring to Chiawana. The 6-foot-10 junior is averaging 11.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4 blocks a game for the Riverhawks (9-6, 4-5).

Pasco (2-14, 1-9) earned its first conference victory last week against Kennewick.

“I’m happy that they got a win,” King said of the Bulldogs. “They’re doing good, and I still keep in contact with them. I’m still friends with everybody at Pasco High and on the basketball team. But on the court, it’s strictly business.”

MUSTANGS ON THE WEB: Prosser’s final two regular-season games will stream live at www.jeffplace.com.

The Mustangs visit Grandview on Tuesday and host Othello next Friday. Pregame for both CWAC matchups begins at 7 p.m., and tipoff is at 7:15.

Prosser (10-6, 8-6) is tied with Ellensburg and East Valley for the No. 3 spot in the CWAC. Grandview is tied with Toppenish for eighth at 5-9, while Othello is in last place at 1-13.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Boys basketball notes: Hanford tired of losing close games."