Joined by mother Courtney, brother Mason and father Kenny Murray, Lampasas guard Astin Murray jokes around during Senior Night ceremonies at halftime of Friday evening’s game against Marble Falls. Murray scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in the loss. PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Although the Badgers were playing from behind all evening, five Lampasas players stood front and center.

Manny Lopez, Carlos Cintron, Astin Murray, Ethan Byers and Eduardo Davila each were honored for their commitment to the Badgers’ basketball program during halftime of the Senior Night game against Marble Falls.

While the ceremonies served to inspire the Badgers, who outscored their opponents in the second half, Marble Falls eliminated Lampasas from the postseason race with a 53- 38 victory.

Lampasas fell into an early hole, as poor shot selection led to the Mustangs opening the contest with a 10-0 run.

Although the game still was within reach, the pre-game philosophy had been thrown out the window.

“Our game plan going in was to control the tempo,” Lampasas head coach Scott Harrelson said. “We were now down 10-0 and with only two minutes off the clock, we had shot the ball four times and turned it over.

“We spent the rest of the game trying to catch up. So, the plan of controlling the tempo was not followed.”

The Badgers scored five points in the quarter to enter the second period trailing by seven at 12-5.

Despite the team’s increasing its output to 10 points in the second quarter, Marble Falls scored 19 and took a 31-15 lead into halftime.

Lampasas scored 23 points in the second half, but it was not enough.

Davila posted a team-high 12 points, while sophomores Brandon Scott and Secody Howard chipped in seven points apiece.

The loss eliminates Lampasas (8- 19, 0-7 District 25-4A) from playoff competition, as Marble Falls (16-14, 2-5) and Hutto (12- 16, 2-5) will battle for the district’s final berth.

Still, the evening had highlights.

“As for Senior Night, I thought it went well,” Harrelson said. “The seniors presented their mothers with a red rose and thanked them for all they have done for them.

“Then we honored the seniors and their parents as they took one last walk down the carpet.”

Lampasas concludes its season with three road games, beginning tonight in Killeen at 7 p.m.