2/2/21: The Cottage School Cougars traveled to DeKalb to take on the Cross Keys High School Indians in their second matchup of the year. The Cougars used a first half defensive effort to gain a ten point cushion. By games end, the first half proved to pave the way for their eleventh victory; 41-37.
TCS scored more points (14) in the second period than CKHS had in the first half, taking a 23-13 edge at intermission. Coach Briggs spoke at the break, “Very pleased with our defensive intensity. Our guys were in lockdown mode. If not for missing a handful of layups we would be up big.”
The second half was a complete flip. Credit Cross Keys as they bounced back strong scoring 14 third quarter points. Down the stretch, the Indians made a basket with less than a minute left in regulation and the scoreboard read, 38-37 Cottage. On the ensuing possession, Aidan Briggs drove to the paint on the right side drawing three Indian players. He set them up to dish to his most comfortable outside threat teammate, Ruslan van Kesteren. Ruslan was sitting in the corner awaiting the pass. In one motion, a catch and swish for the Cougars to take the 41-37 win. Cross Keys did have one last shot, but as he did all game long Alex Hogg rejected the ball out of bounds as time expired!
The Cougars will play three tough opponents in four school days, starting with GISA powerhouse at Furtah Prep on Thursday night (7:30 PM).
Game Notes:
Aidan Briggs led the team with 17 points to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Alex Hogg led the team with 12 boards and 6 blocked shots. He also scored 6 points.
Daniel Byman toughed out a bummed ankle and was outstanding. Stats don’t show how well he played, but Byman did score a basket, had 4 assists, 3 steals, and 4 rebounds.
Ruslan van Kesteren played key minutes. As stated above, the senior dropped a three point bomb in the final thirty seconds to ice the game.
