Cougars Triumph Over Warriors in Class D District Championship Showdown
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Bay City All Saints Cougars Class D District Champions! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Despite being two men down, the 13 Cougars boarded their bus bound for Port Hope, and the championship game of the Districts. As the Cougars suited up for the upcoming clash; the entire right side of the gym same as the weather outside, was a whiteout. Dozens of Cougar fans and All Saints students dress in white, braved the weather, and the distance, to travel to Port Hope to cheer their team on to victory.
All Saints fans dress in white and cheer their team to victory. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
ASC Super Fans: Drew, Jade, Jimmy, Josh and Cody. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The Cougars were well aware of the Warriors' devastating offense, but the Cougars' offense was ready to play just as hard. Just like their fans dressed in white on the sidelines, the Cougars offense scored like a blinding blizzard in the first period of play. Little did they know that the first period would be crucial to the rest of the game.
Below:Cougars scoring drives kept them in the lead all night. (Left) BJ Weaver scores 9 on the night. (Right) Senior Ricky Phillips contributes 2. (MyBayCity Photos by Kevin Kula)
Above:Big efforts show!(Left)BJ Weaver(Right)Arron Janner. (MyBayCity Photos by Kevin Kula)
While the Cougars offense fought for every point they could attain; the Cougars defense, on the flipside, was left with the daunting task of shutting down the Warriors potent offense. Miraculously, the Warriors offense seriously underestimated the Cougars defense and could only manage 3 points in the first four minutes of the game. Coming back with a passion, the Warriors offense began to break through the Cougars line and score point after point: unhindered. Luckily, All Saints' offense was also exploiting that same strategy to the fullest. At the end of the first period, the scoreboard showed the Cougars grabbing a decisive 9 point lead.
Below:Defense and Offense key to victory. (Left)Mario Walker and Preston Oakes double-up on the Warriors. (Right) A Big effort by Junior Arron Janer leads to points. (MyBayCity Photos by Kevin Kula)
Above:Seniors lead offensive drive. (Left)Ollie Hull with 2 of his 17pts. (Right) Preston Oakes lets one fly over #40 Brad Neumayer. (MyBayCity Photos by Kevin Kula)
The game was fought at both ends of the court from this point on. On offense, each team fought for ever point they could scrape up. On defense each side tried to hold the other back. The Cougars offense and defense worked in tandem to keep their lead for the rest of the first half; though it was shaved down to become 39-31.
After the half the Cougars became fully immersed in the largest defensive duel they have seen all season. Fighting with superior defense, the Cougars managed to hold off the Warriors offense, until fouls plagued the Cougars. Numerous fouls hurt the Cougars, both on the court and an the board. Luckily, key shots from Ollie Hull and Preston Oakes as well as Cameron Coburn kept the Cougars ahead of the Warriors for the rest of the game.
#14 Cameron Coburn scores! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Mario Walker shoots from the line. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
As the clock neared the end of its allotted time, the Warriors became desperate. Showing their skill at long shots, the Warriors sank a couple three pointers to try to overcome the leading Cougars. Untimely fouls on the Warriors part though, gave the Cougars the upper hand as Preston Oakes sunk three free-throw shots that put the Cougars out of striking range at last.
As the final second ticked away, a chorus of "when the Saints go marching in" broke out among the All Saints fans as the Cougars realized they had just won the District Title.
Unyielding to the very end , the Cougars never let up and maintained the lead throughout the entire game. As Coach Mike Showalter said of the game "We looked to our seniors for leadership - and they didn't disappoint". Led by Hull with 17 points, Oakes also with 17, Coburn with 10, and BJ Weaver with 9, the Cougars carried the day 73-68.
All Saints Seniors: Marc Kwapiszewski, Coach Showalter,Preston Oakes, Ollie Hull, Kevin Klapish and Ricky Phillips with Championship trophy. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Team leaders Preston Oakes and Ollie Hull like their new friend: District Trophy (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
When 13 guys walked into Port Hope's gym for that fateful last time, they came in as a rag-tag team of battle hardened Cougars - They left as District Champions. The District Class D Champion Cougars will proceed to the Regional Level, and play on Monday in Deckerville.
Big smiles say it all!. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Below: Cougar Families Celebrate!
Kevin Klapish and family (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
(Above Left) Ollie Hull with with his Dad. (Right) Preston Oakes and family. (MyBayCity Photos by Kevin Kula)
Marc and Kevin take a photo op with Megan and Becca who won their own District Trophy last Friday! (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
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