Central Bobcats’ Incredible Comeback Falls Just Short Against Crowley

ABILENE, TX — The Comeback ‘Cats didn’t go down without a fight.

Trailing by 20 points at halftime in their second-round playoff game to Crowley, the San Angelo Central boys basketball team stormed back to get within three points in the final minutes before losing 76-65.

It brought an end to a memorable season that saw the Bobcats win their first district title in 14 years and bring home a playoff trophy.

Central finished with a record of 29-6. Crowley improved to 15-16 and moves on to play McKinney Boyd or Grand Prairie in the Class 6A Division II regional semifinals.

Central head coach Arsenio Geter talked about how his team nearly overcame a 49-29 deficit at halftime.

“The whole first half wasn’t us. That’s not how we play,” Geter said. “And I haven’t seen all of (Crowley’s) games, but I haven’t seen them shoot like that in any of the film I have. So for them to shoot like that and for us to — I don’t know what we were doing — when you put that mixture together, you get a 20-point deficit.

“So we just came in here and talked and said, ‘That’s not us, guys.’ … We settled down and started playing a little bit more like us, and we were able to get the lead down to three. A couple more shots go our way and we’re up by 1, and I think we were right there. But kudos to the kids for being able to shift that and change it. It was a tough ride, but we came back out and played like ourselves. So to do that and get it back to where the game needed to be and give ourselves a chance, that was pretty big.”

After Crowley scored 49 points in the first half, the Eagles were held to only six in the third quarter as Central clawed back to within 55-45 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats continued to chip away at the deficit and got as close as 58-55 on a putback by TK Taylor with about 4:45 remaining, sending Central's fans into a frenzy. 

Crowley scored the next seven points, however, and Central was never able to get closer than seven the rest of the way.

Central was led by senior Ean McNeill, who had 24 points, including four 3-pointers. He was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Taylor had 14 points, six rebounds and a block, while Jaylen Franklin had 10 points and two steals.

Crowley’s Jaelon Germany had a team-high 22 points and five assists to lead the Eagles. Jeremiah Thirdkill added 17 points, including a couple of highlight-reel dunks. 

Geter said the Bobcats picked up valuable experience this season, and he hopes the team can build off of this year's success and make an even better playoff run in 2027.

Central hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2012.

"It's hard to do until it's normal, and that's what we're working on," Geter said. "And that comes with steps, and it comes with time. A winning culture wasn't built in one year. So we're still working on it, and we made great strides this year, and we're hoping to keep it going."

Crowley 76, San Angelo Central 65

Crowley   22   27   6   21 — 76

Central   15   14   16   20 — 65

CROWLEY — Emmanuel Scott 5, Collin King Sumberlin 9, Kingston Willis 11, Jeremiah Thirdkill 17, Dayson Hubbard 2, Jaelon Germany 22, Victor James 10. 

CENTRAL — Ean McNeill 24, TK Taylor 14, Miguel Zamarron 3, Trey Allen 5, Jaylen Franklin 10, Gabriel Garcia 2, Emir Campanini 7.