The JV Cougars took a tough loss to Manchester West yesterday 60-56 to fall to 10-5 on the season. The JV Cougars started out flat and could not buy a basket, even the easy ones, in the first half. At the end of the first Quarter that Cougars found themselves down 18-9 and then down 33-22 after the first half. Things would have been different if the Cougars didn't come out flat in the first as they didn't lose any of the other three Quarters. Quarter 2 was tied 14-14, Quarter 3 had Cougars at 16 to 12, and thr 4th had Cougars 18 to 15.

The Cougars had a good stretch of play in the third led by Noah Stewart's tenacious offensive rebounding, including 3 buckets, one of which was an and1 for 7 points in the frame, and a couple big threes from Christian Buffum, to cut the lead to 7, 45-38 at the end of the third. The 4th quarter is where they really turned on the jets. Playing from behind the Cougars put up 18 points in the final frame including 7 from Zander Carignan. The Cougars tied the game with roughly 4 minutes left to play, but couldn't convert on their many opportunities down the stretch. Their second half was solid.

Malachi Page made some great drives to the basket attacking the paint and led the way with 18 points, Zander finished with 9, Noah had 7, Buffum and Owen McGuire both had 6. James Cook also played great minutes for his second game in a row.

The JV Cougars next have a tough fight against Hanover over break and will be missing two starters due to vacation.