Cougars begin season victorious with a 55-48 win at Sugar Hill Christian
11/5/2021: The Cottage School Cougars travelled to Sugar Hill, GA on Friday night to take on the Stallions during their Homecoming. Sugar Hill Christian is a GAPPS member. The Cougars battled the Homecoming loud and proud Stallion crowd and came away with a 55-48 win.
The game was tied at 42 a piece with just three minutes remaining. Both teams struggled through foul trouble for much of the night. TCS had one starter (Placide) foul out in the third frame and two more starters (Byman and Hogg) with four each in the fourth period. Sugar Hill lost their big man (#24-Skeleton) to fouls midway through the fourth and had two other role players with four each. The one person who was not in foul trouble was Aidan Briggs and for the Cougars that was a blessing. After being fouled shooting a three pointer, Briggs connected on all three. He then made a layup and three more free throws in the final two minutes to lead his team to victory. Alex Hogg also made a key basket in the final minute to prevent any pressure of a Stallion comeback. The Cougars went to win 55-48.
The first three frames showcased quality team basketball for TCS. Five different guys scored in the first period and three more over the next two frames.
The Cougars will have a full week of tough games coming up. It begins on Tuesday night at Cristo Rey (GISA AAA) followed by two home nights versus AASD on Wednesday and CCA on Friday. TCS will finish with the Howard Hawks at State Farm Arena on Sunday.
Games Notes
Aidan Briggs scored a career high 30 points to go with 14 rebounds and three assists.
Braden Kramer connected on three 3-pointers for 9 points. He also battled for 7 rebounds and gathered 5 steals.
Alex Hogg finished with 8 points and 9 boards in limited action, due to foul trouble.
Daniel Byman also sat for about half the contest with foul issues but did gather 5 steals, scored 6 points, and snagged 3 rebounds.
Matthew Placide fouled out but did make a basket early.
Jackson Barnes and Jack Kane made their Cougar debuts and played well. They moved the ball and corralled some rebounds.
Alex Yager played valuable minutes late in the second period when TCS had to keep Byman, Hogg, and Placide on the bench in foul trouble. Yager fought for a rebound and stole a ball.
