TCS moves to 2-0 in AAC competition with 61-47 victory over their cross-town rival, MSA
11/10/23: On Wednesday, The Cottage School Cougars played host to the Mustangs of Mill Springs Academy. MSA came into the Cougar Center with a 2-1 AAC confidence start and much confidence but left .500 as TCS used a balanced team effort to win 61-47.
From the tip, TCS scored first and held the lead until the 1:58 mark in the first half when MSA connected on another three-pointer (more on that below) to take their first lead 22-20. After a timeout, Cottage refocused on what was working and went on a 6-0 run before intermission to reclaim the lead 26-22.
Much like their match versus Cumberland Academy last Friday, the Cougars’ patience on offense created fantastic ball movement, finding open teammates inside the paint. TCS took full control later in the third stanza when senior guard Gabriel Belden leaked out for a fastbreak layup. Teammate, Andrew Dorsey fed him a long pass but by the time Belden corralled it he looked up for the layup and was practically underneath the basket. Only Dr. J could have finished this basket, but somehow Gabe torqued his torso backwards and smoothly tossed up a hook shot that swished in. It was an ESPN highlight as the Cougar Center erupted in joy!
With a comfortable eighteen-point lead but still ten minutes in regulation, both teams battled. The Mustangs knew they had no choice but to speed up the tempo and ran on every steal and missed shot. Also, the two dynamic MSA guards began to jack up shots from anywhere and everywhere. By the end of the night, #23-Hill was 7-21 from 3-point range and #5-Ryan Frommer was 3-10 as the two shot 10-31 from the modern day shot-friendly spot. The difference, however, is that the Cougars stayed to their old-school ways pounding the ball in the paint to finish MSA off with the 61-47 win.
The Cougars will take on another GAPPS school in Covenant Christian Academy tomorrow night at CCA in their final game before the Thanksgiving break.
Game Notes:
Andrew Dorsey led the team with 13 points and added 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
Maxwell Lagan put in 11 points and snatched 8 boards.
Jackson Barnes had an off night offensively but still did what his team needed. He finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a blocked shot.
Jack Kane also had an off night shooting the ball, but made his presence be known in the paint. The man in the middle put in 9 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 steals, a blocked shot, and took a charge. And shot 5-6 from the FT line.
Colin Barlow got the team going early with some fine play. He added 6 points and 3 rebounds. He and Jackson also connected on a brilliant give and go for two!
The absence of Weston Kershner provided Gabriel Belden and Davis Bradley a ton of critically important effort minutes. What a night for them as they had to chase a Mustang newcomer all over the floor. One of the most polished and accurate shooters the AAC has ever had, this young freshman is tearing up the league, averaging over 25 points per game. #23-Hamilton Hill didn’t hold back against the Cougars putting in 28 points, shooting 7-21 from behind the arch.
The Cougars had 8 of their 10 players score compared to just two and one basket by one other from MSA, showing a great team balanced attack!