Cougars claw victory from Lions’ grasp

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

An evenly-matched catfight ended with the Crockett Cougars scraping out a victory over the Freshman Lions on Tuesday evening.

Throughout the game, the teams traded blows and leads, with the final decision being made by a jump ball and a foul. Up until the final seconds, though, both teams played consistently and evenly, keeping spec

tators on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

The Lions opened with a 12-9 first quarter lead, but ended the first half down 18-20.

After returning from the locker room, the Cougars turned up the heat, and the Lions responded in kind, closing the third at 30-31.

Lockhart pulled ahead again in the fourth, staying ahead of Crockett moving into the final seconds of the game, when a late foul by the Lions brought the Cougars within one.

On the Lions’ next possession, a jump ball gave possession back to the Cougars, and a Lion another foul sealed the game. The two-shot foul allowed Crockett to pull ahead and seal the victory 39-40.

Johnny Schultze led the Lions’ scoring with 14 points on the night. Josh Guerrero chipped in 11 points, and Quentin Taylor had four. Braylon Moreno and Cameron Grabow each scored three, and Bernardo Longoria and Ronald Butler scored two points each.

“Despite the losing effort, this game was an example of how far the team has come in a short time,” Coach Josh Billo said. “In their first meeting against Crockett [on Nov. 16] the Lions lost by 24.”

The Lions will be in action this weekend during tournament play at Hays High School, and will return to the Lion’s Den on Tuesday, Dec. 7 to host Canyon Lake.

Tipoff for the Freshman Maroon is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in the practice gym. The Freshman White will follow at 7 p.m.