Bolstered by the confidence from nine victories in its last 10 games, Belton (16-6) will open District 13-5A play at A&M Consolidated (16-6) at 7:30 p.m. today.
Belton’s current stretch is in contrast to the season’s first few weeks, when the Tigers’ up-and-down performances netted a 7-5 start.
But since then the squad has raised its level of play, much to the pleasure of head coach Ed Braeuer.
“I’d say we’re in our best stretch of basketball right now,” Braeuer said. “And I think there are two reasons why we’re playing better now.
“One is that our kids who came up from the junior varsity are now accustomed to the pace and intensity of the varsity level. And the second is that our guys who came in late from football are getting into rhythm.”
Belton didn’t have the easiest of non-district schedules, either. The Tigers lost twice to Round Rock McNeil, ranked No. 4 by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, and once each to No. 9 Colleyville Heritage and No. 12 Tyler John Tyler.
Throw in Belton’s 83-66 dismantling of No. 6 Amarillo last week, and the Tigers would appear to be battle-tested.
“It was a rough non-district schedule, but it’s also going to be a tough district schedule,” Braeuer said. “I also don’t think we’ve played as well as we possibly can yet.”
When the going gets tough, Belton has a pair of productive seniors to lean on in guard Matt Braeuer and forward Ramonce Taylor, who together account for 65 percent of Belton’s point production.
Braeuer, who has signed to play at NCAA Division I Wichita State, is averaging a team-high 23.9 points and 4.8 assists per game. He’s also the squad’s best free-throw shooter at 76 percent.
Taylor, a University of Texas football commitment, averages 21.9 points and 7.3 rebounds a night and is the team’s top 3-pointer shooter at 38 percent. His 44-point performance in the win over Amarillo tied a school record.
In tonight’s opener, Belton faces a Consolidated team that has won five straight games and finished tied with Belton for second place in last year’s district race.
