Cougars come back to beat Cross Keys; 42-39
1/8/21: The Cottage School Cougars got some revenge Friday night on Cross Keys High School. The Indians beat TCS twice last season in two very close matchups and per history, had another one go down to the wire. CKHS led until the end of the third period. After the Cougars took the lead they never looked back for the 42-39 win.
With 2:53 on the clock in the third quarter the Indians held a 27-25 edge. With a nice find from new teammate Braden Kramer, Aidan Briggs connected from downtown and the Cougars went ahead 28-27 for the first time of the contest. Cottage continued to move the ball well for the next six minutes extending their lead 36-28 with just four minutes remaining.
Cross Keys stayed focused and made it 36-34 under the two minute mark. Back to back clutch baskets by Blake Lackey and Andrew Dorsey gave TCS the cushion needed to hold on. The Indians nailed a three pointer with less than a minute left as the score read 42-39 and after a Cottage turnover heaved up one more to tie the game. Thankfully for Cottage it missed and the Cougars held on for the narrow 42-39 victory.
Coach Henderson spoke after the game; “Our intensity on defense the second half was outstanding. Once we focus on the minor details of the offense we will find a more consistent rhythm and this game and others may not have to be so close.” Coach Briggs reiterated; “Yes, if we did not communicate as well as we did after halftime we would have lost. Cross Keys has a talented guard that was eating us up (16 of 19 points in the first half), but we held him scoreless until that final made three pointer.”
The Cougars are now 8-2 on the season, winning three in a row and six of their past seven contests. Up next will be this Friday night. They will host Covenant Christian again in a rare third matchup of the season. Thursday’s game versus Furtah Prep has been postponed due to a Covid-19 quarantine situation at Furtah Prep. Look for the update on when this game will be made up.
Game Notes:
Aidan Briggs was one assist shy of a triple-double. He finished with 10 points and 9 assists. He was a monster on the glass pulling down a career high, 20 boards to go with 2 steals.
Alex Hogg followed with a strong performance of his own. Several shots that seemed to have potential to change the Cross Keys momentum were denied by Hogg. He finished with 5 key blocked shots, 13 rebounds, and 18 points. Alex was also clutch on the FT line, sinking five of six (two in the final minute).
Anthony Kovach connected on two big three’s for six points and took a charge.
Braden Kramer & Black Lackey provided consistent defense and ball movement to aid the team.
