Rattlers take down district leading Unicorns

By Jordan Salas

Sports Reporter

The San Marcos Rattlers (28-2 overall, 3-0 district 27-6A) faced off against the New Braunfels 

Unicorns (23-3 overall, 3-0 district 27-6A) in a showdown between the top two teams in the 

district. The Rattlers showed their dominance in front of a packed crowd at the Snake Pit by 

getting the win over the Unicorns, 66-54.

The Rattlers started hot, energizing their passionate crowd by building an early 17-4 lead 

halfway through the first quarter. The last five minutes of the first quarter showed a slight 

slowdown for the Rattlers as both teams added four points to end the quarter. After one, the 

Rattlers led comfortably by a score of 21-8. 

The second quarter looked slower for the Rattlers, however, halfway through they still outscored 

the Unicorns 7-4, expanding their lead to 28-12. In the final five minutes of the first half the 

Unicorns showed that they could compete with the Rattlers by going on a 20-4 scoring run. The 

lead the Rattlers worked to build throughout most of the first half was quickly diminished by the 

Unicorns. At halftime, San Marcos led New Braunfels 32-26. Senior Rattler guard, Jayven Cofer 

led all scorers at the half with 10 points.

“In the second quarter they [New Braunfels] went into zone,” Miller said. “We have to make 

shots. When we’re missing shots, we have to find other ways to score and get the ball in the 

middle a little bit more. I think we [San Marcos] got a little stagnant in the second quarter.”

Early in the third quarter the Unicorns got within four points with the score being 34-30, Rattler 

advantage. San Marcos was able to slowly build a lead after a sluggish previous quarter by 

getting New Braunfels in foul trouble and making free throws. At the end of the third, the 

Rattlers led the Unicorns 43-34.

“We wanted to attack. We know they bump a lot of cutters and they’re physical, but our guys are 

tough and physical too,” said Miller. “We wanted to take the ball at them. I thought we drew a 

lot of fouls and took advantage of that style of play.”

In the fourth quarter the Rattlers grew and maintained their lead by continuing to take advantage 

of the free throw line. One of the biggest plays of the game came when Jayven Cofer got the ball on a fast break and got fouled on an aggressive dunk attempt. Cofer made both free throws and put his team up 53-41 with three minutes left in the game. Other Rattlers, like sophomore guard Cash Good and senior guard Kaden Gumbs, made free throws late in the game to help seal the win.The win puts San Marcos on a 23-game win streak. Coach Miller says his team knows the importance of taking it one game at a time.

“We never talk about it [win streak] and we stay in the moment. I think it’s what makes this team 

so special,” said Miller. “We never look past our schedule, now we’ll get ready for our next 

opponent, East Central.”

You can catch the next Rattler home basketball game on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Snake Pit where they will face Judson. Coverage of the game and future rattler basketball games will be on KTSW 89.9.