TCS JV Basketball suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf yesterday, 31-30. The game was hardfought, intense, and physical from the opening jump, and the Cougars came up just short of securing a crucial conference win on the road.
The Cougars started quickly in the first quarter and jumped out to an early lead. Conner Hogue and Alex Hogg led the way offensively, and the Cougars’ defense was nearly impenetrable. AASD only managed to score 4 points in the quarter, and the Cougars led 10-4.
The second quarter was when the physicality really escalated. Baskets were not easy to come by, with the Cougars only managing to score 2 points in the quarter. The TCS defense remained solid though, only allowing 4 to the Panthers. The halftime score was TCS 12 – AASD 8.
In the third quarter, the game opened up again. The Panthers were running in transition as often as possible and were able to capitalize on empty Cougar possessions and offensive rebounds to take the lead. Will COnroy fought hard on the glass and finished a layup down low. Both teams were tired and physically sore heading into the final frame.
The Cougars fell behind early in the fourth. AASD knocked down a clutch 3-pointer with about 2 minutes left to put them up by 5. The Cougars refused to quit though. After making a free throw to cut the lead to 4, the Cougars put on a full court press. Their defense led to several Panther turnovers and easy Cougar baskets, including a game-tying layup by Seth Goldberg with 30 seconds remaining. AASD did not get off a final shot, and it was off to overtime tied at 27.
In the overtime period, both teams struggled to score, but the Cougars held a narrow 30-29 lead with just 20 seconds left. In the final possession of the game, the Cougars forced the Panthers into a difficult shot, but could not secure the final rebound. AASD put up a second shot and scored with just 1 second remaining. That final layup proved to be the difference, and AASD won 31-30.
