8th graders lose lead in 4th, collapse at the end

The 8th grade boys basketball team had a three point 4th quarter lead, self destructed in the final three minutes of the game, and have now lost their first two games to start the season.

For the second straight week, the 8th grade (0-2) was victimized by a player on the other team who would not settle for anything less than the basketball. And for the second straight week, the 8th graders didn't have one of those players.

Not only was #25 on the other team a ballhawk, he scored 27 points.

For a while, it looked like the 8th grade was going to be able to overcome #25, and their inability to box out and rebound, for their first win. Justin put the boys ahead 34-31 on a 3 point play less than 30 seconds into the 4th quarter to make it 34-31.

Then the 8th grade scored one point the rest of the night.

For the second straight game, they let a game that could've been their's slip away. But in the standings, the only columns that matter are the wins and losses.

Trailing 35-34, the 8th grade had a great chance to tie it up, but Brendan missed on a lay-up right by the basket. He gets himself into good positions to score, but he does not go up strong, which is a flaw that has been pointed on to him many times.

For someone with his strength, he needs to go up strong. Instead, he took a step back and faded away just a little bit, enough for his shot to miss.

Justin had a game high for the second straight week with 17 points. Brandon Tom had a great night offensively as well with 9 points, while Daniel chipped in with 8 points.

But in their division, they needed more of a team effort, and they got a combined 1 point from Moises, Brandon K. and Brendan, with the one point on a Brendan free throw.

What is the most frustrating thing about watching this team is that they have the ability and the talent to win and be successful, a sentiment echoed since they were in 3rd grade 6 years ago.

But in 8th grade, some of the same problems exist and it's difficult for them to grow as a team and win games when they repeat the same mistakes.

This is not like last season's 8th grade team, which found themselves two divisions two high, and on their way to losing every game by double digits.

The boys in the class of 2013 are one of the most athletic classes in recent memory, but their inability to work together as a team and sometimes desire to get better sets them back.

It was summed up perfectly late in the game when they trailed by 5 points.

Right after a made bucket by the other team, one of the 8th graders' carelessly one handed a pass inbounds intended for Justin that went right to the other team. It resulted in another easy bucket for the other team.

There was no focus, effort or any attention to detail behind that poor pass other than just being careless and conceding defeat.

What was a three point deficit with less than two minutes to go, turned ugly and became a 10 point loss.

The talent is there, but something else is still missing. And if the 8th grade can't find it, it's going to be a long 8th grade year.