A fine season by the Lakewood Cougars came to a disappointing end on Wednesday, in the 2A Boys State Tournament in the Yakima SunDome. The Cougars were eliminated by the Columbia River Rapids, 60-56.
The Cougars overcame a slow start offensively and trailed the Rapids 19-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Cougars were hampered by turnovers that led to transition points by the Rapids. Once they settled in, however, the Cougars clawed their way back, and late in the second quarter, took the lead, 28-27, on a 3-point shot by junior forward, Caleb Greenland.
That was the third straight 3-pointer by the Cougars as senior Evan Stacey banked in a 3-point shot at the end of the shot clock, followed by another 3-pointer by sophomore Derek Willson. The Cougars committed 11 turnovers in the first 16 minutes but trailed only 29-28 at halftime.
Greenland and Steen hit 3-pointers to start the third quarter, and the Cougars took a quick five-point lead. Steen hit two more bombs in the quarter, but the Rapids fought back to lead 45-40, starting the final period.
With 5:10 left, senior Nash Espe scored on a lay-in, and Greenland followed that with a bucket with just under five minutes left, and the Cougars led 54-51.
With 2:25 to go, senior forward Aaron Hoey hit a 3-point shot to give the Rapids a 56-54 lead, then senior guard Ari Richardson came up with a mid-court steal and a lay-in for a four-point Rapids lead with 2:05 left.
On the next possession, Greenland had his shot blocked inside and the Rapids came up with the ball. They spread the floor and ran clock until the Cougars were forced to foul.
The Cougars had not scored since that Greenland bucket with just under five minutes left, until Stacey scored after an offensive rebound with 30 seconds to play. The Rapids led only 58-56.
The Cougars played scrambling defense until fouling with six seconds to play, but they fouled the wrong guy.
Having made 7-8 free throws in the second quarter alone, Richardson was put on the stripe in a key situation, and knocked down two more, giving the Rapids a big four-point cushion.
The Cougars could not get off a shot before the buzzer.
It was certainly the 20 turnovers that the Cougars in on this day. An unlikely statistic, but the Rapids deserve some credit for their defense and quick hands. The same characteristics the Cougars have enjoyed this year.
Greenland led the Cougars with 19 points, with Espe adding 17 points on 4-8 from 3-point land.
For the Rapids, Richardson led with 22 points and 18 for Hoey.
The Cougars will graduate eight seniors and finish their year with a record of 18-8.
~ Ted House
Kommentare