All Saints Succumbs to Devastating U.S.A. Offense
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USA's Brandon Bitzer lit-up the scoreboard for the Patriots.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
This was a tough day for the Cougars. It was U.S.A.'s "Cominghome" and due to their bitter 43-38 loss to the Cougars back in January, they were surely out for some revenge.
The Cougar varsity boys quickly found out the Patriot's intentions when they crashed the Cougar's net and slammed in the first 2-pointer of the night. The Cougar defenders labored in vain to defend against the Patriot's brutal tactic while trying not to have fouls called on them.
Cougar Adam Pijaszek is slammed into by Patriot Scott Fletcher.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The sight of Patriots at the free-throw line soon became commonplace. The Patriots used all their free-throw chances, and their best players to build a quick lead against the Cougars.
Luckily a last minute surge from the Cougars put them back within 2 points of the Patriots which was now at 16-14. After a nearly three-minute stalemate in the 2nd period, the Cougars drove one home to tie the game. But the Patriots answered right back with a pair of successful shots to put the game back into their hands. Despite a valiant effort from the tired Cougars, they came up short 26-20 at the end of the first half.
ASC's BJ Weaver gets his hands up on Bitzer to stop this shot.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Cougar defenders Mario Walker and Adam Pijaszek try to put the brakes on USA's scoring drive.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
After the brief intermission, the Patriots went right back to their devastating offense. The Patriots fired away, and beat the Cougars into submission.
The Cougar fans remained hopeful at the half.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The Cougars managed to come up with only 7 points in the entire third period. The Patriots had successfully built a lead they could defend; and build upon, to beat the Cougars. The bitter third period ended with the score standing at 32-27.
Early in the third ASC's Pijaszek shoots from the top of the key to add to his total of 12 for the night.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Early in the decisive fourth period the Cougars rallied and managed to knot it up 32-32. And so with nearly 6 minutes left on the clock, it was anyone's game again.
Cougar Coach Mike Showalter has concern written on his face even as his team rallied to tie the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Senior Mario Walker comes up for 2pts to tie the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Unfortunately for the Cougars, Patriot #5 Brandon Bitzer had no intention of leaving the game that way for very long. Not once, but twice Bitzer managed to slip by the Cougar's defense and score four invaluable points.
USA's Fletcher reaches in on Cougar Aaron Janer.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
From there everything went downhill for the Cougars. To waste time and maintain their lead, the Patriots tried to draw fouls by crashing the net once again. The Cougars struggled in desperation to score points, but the Patriot's pressing defense prevented almost all of All Saints' attempts. In the end the Patriots walked away with a 53-41 victory over the Cougars.
ASC Senior BJ "Operaman" Weaver added his 5pts with style.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The coach of the now 10-5 Cougars, Mike Showalter, said the Patriots "did a good job", and "their best player dominated."
Similarly, the Cougar varsity girls team succumbed to the Patriot's endurance and offense. The girls varsity showdown started off on a good note with #24 Ashley Bowker scoring a 3-pointer to put the Cougars ahead 3-2. But the Patriots capitalized on several more chances, and held the lead 9-5 at the end of the first period.
Senior Jeanie Heintskill scored 21pts for the Cougars including this basket.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Junior Julie Spyhalski's 8pts helped the Cougar Ladies.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
The story of the second period was just as bleak as the first period's. The Patriots pounded the Cougars with well placed shots from every corner of the Cougar's defensive end. The Cougars had a few lucky breaks, but the Patriots held the momentum and the lead at the end of the first half 21-15.
ASC Coach Duane Gorlewski gives advise to his ladies during a timeout.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Early in the third period, All Saints' coach Duane Gorlewski called a timeout to discuss tactics with his team. It wasn't long after this occurred that, like the varsity boys had done in the game before them, the the Cougars managed to tie the game up 29-29. But with nearly three minutes left in the third, and another whole period to go, the game was still up for grabs.
Cougar Jeanie Heintskill shoots over USA's Danielle Gremel in the 3rd.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
ASC's Ashley Bowker adds 2 more points to her total of 6 on the night..
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
Leaving nothing to chance, the Patriots attacked again and regained their lead before time expired in the third. As the Cougars headed onto the court to start the last period, the score stood at 36-33. Molly Neymeiyer said after the game that the Cougars "let this game get away from us".
The Patriots capitalized on everything given to them, and racked up an impressive late game lead. The Cougars tried valiantly to make up for their lack of points on the board, but came up short 51-43. Despite the loss, the Cougar girls are confident that this was their "best defensive game."
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