Cougar Basketball Game 1 vs Pipkin

The 7th Grade Boy’s Basketball team finally got the regular season under way against the Pipkin Pirates yesterday. The B team Cougars found themselves in difficult waters from the beginning of the game to the end. The Pirates came out strong and surprised the Cougars to take an early 8-4 lead. By the end of the second quarter both Cole Oliver and Brant Jones had scored 4 points each unfortunately the Cougars sluggish offense could not keep pace with Pipkin’s 18 points. The third was not much better offensively but defensive effort improved with hustle from Tory Hall, Nayeem Choudhury and Sam Stuckey. The start of the 4th quarter is when the Cougars finally came out to play- outgunning the Pirates 15-4 and actually stealing the lead a few teams. Cole Oliver scored six of his team high ten points and Noah Nease scored five of his seven points. Despite the improved effort the Cougars were not able to close out the game and fell to the Pirates 31-29. Cole Oliver led the team with eight steals while Nayeem Choudhury and Tory Hall had three apiece.
The A game started out intense on defense from both teams. Points were like buried treasure in the early going with the score tied at three apiece at the 3 minute mark. Isaiah Holyfield had two great blocks, Stephen Smith and Kendrick Price were key in not letting the Pirates drive to the basket. The pace picked up on offense despite good pressure defense from both teams and the Pirates found themselves with a 23-22 lead at the half. The second half was like a classic battle at sea with both teams demonstrating great firepower, the Pirates hit three 3-pointers only to be answered by three from the Cougars- one each from Jake Brown, Brant Jones, and Hunter Steinmetz. Defense and solid shooting was the key for Carver as they went down to the wire, needing Jake Thompson to hit two crucial free throws and then an incredible effort to stop Pipkin from scoring with 2.2 seconds left. Hunter Steinmetz led the team with seven steals. Top scorers were Jake Thompson with 13 points, Hunter Steinmetz with 12, and Ben Sandy with 10.
Next up for the 7th grade Cougars is an away game at Hickory Hills on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.