Cougars Race Past Mustangs 44-24 For First AAC Win of 2024
The Cougars started the second half of the conference schedule in much the same way they have performed in AAC conference play in the first half of the season, by using stifling defense and outstanding passing to beat a strong Mill Springs team featuring conference MVP candidate Amari Jones. After a close first quarter of play, the Cougars used pressure to force turnovers which often led to baskets. By the half, the lead had jumped to 17 points and there was no turning back. They are now 5 and 0 in conference play, tied for first place with next Friday’s opponent the Howard School.
Senior Alyssa Briggs has been one of the great players not only at the Cottage School but in the AAC as a whole. Years of dedication and hard work along with an incredible ability to see the court and make intelligent decisions has made her time in the conference extraordinary. The AAC has seen its share of stars, but Alyssa might be the brightest to ever shine in the league. According to Coach Spillett, “Sometimes when you are watching an all-time great player perform over the course of the season, the truly exceptional performances don’t stand out as clearly until you watch film of the game. It seemed like she was playing very well, but she was so fluidly in rhythm with the game, not forcing anything, always being in the right place at the right time, it just felt as if it was another game and she was doing what felt natural.”
However, looking at the stat sheet, it was much more than that. It was the sort of performance that coupled incredible efficiency with production in every statistical category. Though she only played 18 minutes she amassed 22 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks. That alone would make it a standout performance. She did all this on 8 for 11 shooting from the field and 6 for 8 from the free throw line. She didn’t even pick up a foul. “That’s as close to a perfect game as I’ve ever seen in my years of coaching,” opined Coach Spillett after rewatching it.
Not only did Alyssa put in an exceptional performance, her teammates stepped up and had outstanding games. Freshman Sara Tolchinsky had her best game as a Cougar, becoming a menacing force on defense and, surprisingly, on the glass. Despite her diminutive size, she seemed to be in the middle of every play. Playing against a tall Mustangs team, she managed to grab 8 rebounds. It was remarkable watching a player of her size go into a crowd of gigantic upperclassmen and somehow emerge with the rebound. She also showed flashes of defensive brilliance helping to limit Jones to 8 points and grabbing 4 steals in the process.
Another ongoing storyline this season has been the maturation of Gabby Pressnall. While still being a middle schooler, Gabby has adjusted to playing against teams of kids 4 or 5 years older than her in some cases. Her decision making at the point has been a vital part of the team’s strong performance as the season has gone on. She lit up the scoreboard in the second quarter with a game-shifting three pointer and finished with 5 points, 6 steals, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Finley Love continues to be a steadying influence on her peers. While she scored 6 key points early in the game and forced the Mill Springs offense into a series of turnovers with her outstanding court awareness. Cottage finished the game with a combined 32 team steals and while Finley had 7 of those, her ability to always be one step ahead of the opposing team forced many mistakes. She also chipped in 6 points and 7 rebounds.
Senior Kendall Betzer has become a key cog in the Cottage basketball machine. She inspires many of her younger teammates and has grown by leaps and bounds as a scorer and a rebounder. She nailed 2 baskets to finish with four points, including a spectacular turnaround jumpshot from the foul line. She kicked in 5 rebounds and 2 steals as well.
Malia Richards also found many ways to contribute to the cause, firing in a dagger of a 17 foot jumpshot in the third quarter that put the game away. Natalie Taylor continues her assault on the backboard, picking up 7 rebounds. Eleanor Gaffneystone continues to find ways to impact the game whenever she is on the floor, playing intense defense and grabbing 3 critical rebounds.
The Cougars are back in action Tuesday afternoon against two-time AAC conference champions, the AASD Panthers.