Cougars 50, Delta Charter 42
After seeing his team lose an early double digit lead and trail midway through the third quarter, Creek head coach Robert Mitcham turned to his “twin towers”.
Hayden McClusky and Bryce Rushing – playing his first game of the year – were too much for Delta Charter to handle in the paint as the duo led the Cougars (10-9, 1-1) to a 50-42 win Tuesday night at the Brickhouse.
McClusky scored a game-high 18 points and although Rushing tallied only five, it was the combination and size and power that proved to be the difference.
“Bryce is going to be a difference maker for us,” said Mitcham. “This year to an extent and next year to a greater extent. If we have those twin guys down low, some teams in our district are going to have to pick their poison.
“We didn’t take advantage of it as much as we should have today. Our passes were not good. We are too slow. We are too deliberate. If we try to go over the top, we throw it out of bounds. If we try to go underneath, we throw it at their ankles. That is what practice is for. We will clean it up. That is going to be huge having those two in there at the same time.”
Creek jumped out to a 13-4 lead after the first quarter and quickly pushed it out to double figures early in the second quarter before going cold offensively.
“We got off to a good start and then we had nine empty possessions (out of 10),” said Mitcham. “Not even a shot. We were rushing our offense and not taking good shots or making good passes. Just too many unforced turnovers.”
The Cougars led 24-18 at the half but when Delta Charter hit a three-pointer from the far wing with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter, DC took its first lead at 30-29.
However, with McClusky and Rushing patrolling the paint and attacking the glass on both ends of the floor, the Cougars quickly recovered, scoring the next eight points to reclaim a 37-30 lead. Delta Charter failed to get any closer than five points the rest of the way.
“They knew how much we had on the line after we gave one away Friday night,” said Mitcham. “We have to play together. We have to play smart. We have to value the basketball. It should have been a 15- or 16-point game at halftime. But I am proud of them. It was a good team win.”
Carter Hill added 10 points and Davis Walsworth nine in the win.
The Cougars will host Darbonne Woods Thursday before traveling to Tensas Friday and Quitman on Saturday.
Lady Cougars 63, Delta Charter 31
Sarah Adams scored 22 points and Lizzie McAdams added 14 points to lead the Lady Cougars to a 63-31 win against over-matched Delta Charter Tuesday night at the Brickhouse.
Creek (18-0) kept its undefeated season intact, improving to 2-0 in District 2-1A action.
The game was never in doubt.
The Lady Cougars built a 12-5 lead after one and pushed it to a 29-8 halftime advantage. Adams, McAdams and Millie Venters combined to score 21 out of 23 points in the third quarter as Creek led 52-15 after three quarters.
“We didn’t play a full game last week,” said head coach Gene Vandenlangenberg. “We had to go to Sicily Island last week, and it wasn’t real competitive. So we haven’t played a full game in a week and a half. I think it took us a while to get going tonight. As the game went on we gained momentum and then got to rolling.
“Our defense was really good. Our offense struggled and second half we came out and got back into our rhythm.”
Vandenlangenberg pulled his starters as the Lady Cougars second and third teamers played the entire fourth quarter of the 32-point win.
Delta Charter struggled offensively against the Creek defense as the Lady Cougars forced turnover after turnover in the win.
“Defensively, we are trying to stay in front of people and make people take outside shots and then hit the boards hard,” said Vandenlangenberg. “We want to get the ball and go. We want Sarah and Allie (Furr) and our guards to get it and go. We are playing a lot of zone. We try to get in good position. Double team the post and control the paint and make them beat us with a three.”
The Lady Cougars game against Darbonne Woods Thursday has been canceled. They will travel to Tensas Friday and Quitman Saturday.
Photo: Darrell James (dgjames.photoshelter.com)
