Cougars drop second loss to Lions, 88-37
12/8/20: The Cottage School Cougars had a quick turnaround playing Solid Rock Academy for the second time in two weeks. The two GISA region 5AA schools may face each other again in the region playoffs but for now, the Lions proved again to be too talented. The Cougars gave SRA a battle in the first period but the Lions took control of the second frame and never looked back for the 88-37 victory.
Cottage clawed and scratched to keep up with Solid Rock over the first seven minutes. The Lions held a slim 14-10 edge with just over a minute in the first quarter. TCS missed their final four shots of the period and the opposite result for SRA resulted in a 21-10 Lion lead. Coach Briggs spoke of the first frame; “Suroy and I were very proud of our improvement from the first meeting. We were more patient and fundamentally sound to start this game and were rewarded. If we can stay true to ball fakes and ball reversal and make some shots we have a chance to keep it competitive throughout.”
Unfortunately the Cougars shooting percentage was low all night and a lack of concentration on the minor details in the second period were costly. Solid Rock took advantage of a hand full of turnovers and a ten point game went to twenty in just three minutes. TCS protected the ball better to end the quarter but the damage was done; to add the Cougars kept shooting blanks. Solid Rock rolled to a 47-15 edge at the break.
Cottage got it together in period three losing the frame just 21-14, but the final quarter was identical to the second as the mighty Lions went on to win 88-37.
Coach Briggs spoke afterwards, “First of all, we were able to move the ball better than in the first game. We did a better job getting to our spots and tried to execute offensively. We actually had a lot of great looks at the basket but had an off night so the score does not do us justice. The first time we played them we did not run our sets once, so much improvement there.”
TCS will practice tomorrow and play their third region contest on Thursday at Fulton Science Academy at 6:30PM.
Game Notes:
Reese Bentley led the team with 12 points and 3 assists.
Aidan Briggs followed with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. He only had 1 turnover compared to 9 in the first matchup.
Alex Hogg added 12 boards, 9 points, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
Matthew Placide has made a free throw this season but scored his first varsity basket of his career tonight!
