JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Too often a theme last year and already rearing an ugly head this season, the Jackson Broncs lack a killer instinct and managed to find yet another way to give a game away.
The boys know it. The coaches know it. The answer is coming. But none of that takes away the sting of this one. After torching Teton with a blistering start to jump out to a 9-0 lead, the Broncs were unable to seal the deal as the Timberwolves flipped the script in the second half and stole one in Jackson, 51-45.
Jackson jumped Teton before the Wolves’ team bus was even cold to take a 17-2 lead in the 1st. By halftime, the lead was whittled to 28-22 but the Broncs seemed to be in full command.
But credit Teton coach Rob Heuseveldt. He ratcheted up his team’s defense and was patient enough to let the game come to his shooters—Thomas Heuseveldt and Braxton Hess. Coach Heuseveldt also made the most of his bench, playing sophomore Ty Brown (6’4”) and junior Davis Wood (6’8”) as much as he could to neutralize Jackson’s bigs Andrew Hanna and Gavin Keelin.
Still, Hanna and Keelin finished with 12 points each to go with Seb Brunner’s 10.
But with Brunner battling foul trouble and his teammates’ catching the turnover bug, swagger turned to stagger as the Broncs watched helplessly as Teton grabbed all the momentum in the 4th.
Finishing off opponents is something Jackson needs to improve on. The Broncs played well enough to win for 30 minutes Saturday. It was the final two where things unraveled for them.
With the loss, Jackson heads into the holiday break 0-3. Teton improves to 4-2.
