FRIENDSWOOD — Dustin Hobaugh spent the morning in Florida, where he said goodbye to his father, Charlie, for a while. Charlie commanded a successful launch of the NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis on Monday.
The junior returned to Texas at 1 p.m. Tuesday, just in the nick of the time for the Wildcats’ season opener.
Hobaugh didn’t start but came through in the clutch, when his team needed the 2009 all-district selection most.
Friendswood cut Clear Creek’s 19-point lead down to eight, and Wildcats coach Chris Romine turned to Hobaugh with 30 seconds left. The forward, playing out of position at center, responded with all nine of his points in the fourth quarter to help Creek hold of the Mustangs, 60-53.
“It was different coming off the bench,” Hobaugh said. “I was pretty cold, but it felt good to get on the court after going through everything.”
Hobaugh missed the Wildcats’ scrimmages. He also did not practice earlier in November or October because he ran cross country. Hobaugh reached the Class 5A region meet.
Romine did not want to go to Hobaugh, but foul trouble forced his hand. Romine admitted he did not know what to expect.
He got a nice surprise that ended Creek’s 13-game losing streak and gave Friendswood just its second home loss in two years.
“What a gutsy performance from Dustin, a heck of a game,” Romine said. “We needed all nine of those points.”
The Wildcats controlled most of the game. They led by as many as 19 in the third quarter.
Ian Hill hit five three pointers, including two during an 18-2 run. Hill, at one point, hit four-of-five 3s to finish with a team-high 17 points.
“Coach just tells me to shoot when I’m open,” Hill said. “It felt good tonight.”
Creek’s defense also forced 12 turnovers through the first 18 minutes. The Wildcats used pressure defense and took away Friendswood’s motion offense. They also pressured Mustangs star Byron Randle full court and denied any passes thrown Randle’s way.
Tre Webb was a big force inside, deflecting three passes and blocking two shots. He also hit a 3-pointer and scored 10 points.
But the Mustangs made a furious run in the second half. Friendswood permitted just eight points on 3-of-12 shooting to Creek in the third quarter while forcing seven turnovers.
Randle then got going with his outside shot. The senior scored 20 of his 29 points in the second half. He nearly single-handedly pulled Friendswood within three at the 1:41 mark of the quarter.
It was, however, too little too late.
“It felt like we finally started playing late in the third and the fourth quarter, but that was the only positive,” Mustangs coach Darren Chandler said. “This game was really decided by then. It’s disappointing because it’s the season opener and we usually play so well at home.”
Friendswood shot just 12-of-38 in the first three quarters. The Mustangs shot 9-of-17 in the fourth quarter to almost complete the comeback.
Cory Laday hit 4-of-4 free throws in the final minute to ice the game for Creek. He was able to do so, thanks in large part to Hobaugh’s performance.
“Dustin’s a gamer,” Romine said. “I was glad he was back.”
