Cougars fall in state championships
• By MICHAEL LINDSAY ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
• Feb 26, 2022 Updated 7 hrs ago
WINGATE — High Point Christian’s playoff runs ended in heartbreak, with both the boys and girls teams losing.
The fourth-seeded Cougars boys clawed from a big hole early to lead during the fourth quarter. But third-seeded Concord Academy forced overtime, quickly built a lead in the extra period and defeated HPCA 70-66 in the NCISAA 3A boys basketball championship Saturday at Wingate.
In the girls championship, second-seeded HPCA led by double digits midway through the fourth quarter, but top-seeded Asheville Christian rallied hard to force overtime and made a couple key plays in a close extra frame in defeating HPCA 48-44.
“When you’re making a championship run, a lot of things have to fall your way,” Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper said. “We were just one play short.”
The HPCA boys fell behind 13-0 over the first 5 1/2 minutes of the game, but roared back to life with a 14-4 run late in the second to briefly lead and were within 26-24 at halftime. An 11-1 run to start the third gave the Cougars an eight-point lead, and they held that same lead with six minutes left in the game.
But the Eagles quickly got back within reach — outscoring HPCA 18-10 to tie the score 60-60 with 47 seconds left. The Cougars had an opportunity to regain the lead with a pair of free throws with 8.2 seconds left but missed. Fortunately, Concord failed to get off a shot out of a timeout to force overtime.
In overtime, HPCA came up empty on its first three possessions while the Eagles (17-16), who were led by DJ Cuttino with 24 points, scored on their first three trips to lead by seven with 2:50 left. The Cougars got within one on a 3-pointer with 1:18 left.
But Concord made three of four free throws over the final minute while HPCA — which had a shot to tie with 20 seconds left but a tough layup just rolled off the rim — missed on its final three possessions.
“Especially after we were in control most of the second half, it’s difficult to switch and play from behind,” Cooper said. “They had all the momentum and it’s really tough to fight back. I was proud of our guys for fighting back. It’s a tough way to end regulation, but we had a couple good looks there again.”
Darius Kane scored 21 points to lead the Cougars (22-8), who reached the finals for the second time in program history and the first time since 2016, as seniors Thomas McIntosh, Ethan Smith and Kameron Tinnin concluded their careers.
“The day after our season ended last year (in the semifinals) we had a meeting with our returning players,” Cooper said. “To get here and come up just short hurts, but obviously we’re heading in the right direction. We’re excited about the future.”
• By MICHAEL LINDSAY ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
• Feb 26, 2022 Updated 7 hrs ago
WINGATE — High Point Christian’s playoff runs ended in heartbreak, with both the boys and girls teams losing.
The fourth-seeded Cougars boys clawed from a big hole early to lead during the fourth quarter. But third-seeded Concord Academy forced overtime, quickly built a lead in the extra period and defeated HPCA 70-66 in the NCISAA 3A boys basketball championship Saturday at Wingate.
In the girls championship, second-seeded HPCA led by double digits midway through the fourth quarter, but top-seeded Asheville Christian rallied hard to force overtime and made a couple key plays in a close extra frame in defeating HPCA 48-44.
“When you’re making a championship run, a lot of things have to fall your way,” Cougars boys coach Joseph Cooper said. “We were just one play short.”
The HPCA boys fell behind 13-0 over the first 5 1/2 minutes of the game, but roared back to life with a 14-4 run late in the second to briefly lead and were within 26-24 at halftime. An 11-1 run to start the third gave the Cougars an eight-point lead, and they held that same lead with six minutes left in the game.
But the Eagles quickly got back within reach — outscoring HPCA 18-10 to tie the score 60-60 with 47 seconds left. The Cougars had an opportunity to regain the lead with a pair of free throws with 8.2 seconds left but missed. Fortunately, Concord failed to get off a shot out of a timeout to force overtime.
In overtime, HPCA came up empty on its first three possessions while the Eagles (17-16), who were led by DJ Cuttino with 24 points, scored on their first three trips to lead by seven with 2:50 left. The Cougars got within one on a 3-pointer with 1:18 left.
But Concord made three of four free throws over the final minute while HPCA — which had a shot to tie with 20 seconds left but a tough layup just rolled off the rim — missed on its final three possessions.
“Especially after we were in control most of the second half, it’s difficult to switch and play from behind,” Cooper said. “They had all the momentum and it’s really tough to fight back. I was proud of our guys for fighting back. It’s a tough way to end regulation, but we had a couple good looks there again.”
Darius Kane scored 21 points to lead the Cougars (22-8), who reached the finals for the second time in program history and the first time since 2016, as seniors Thomas McIntosh, Ethan Smith and Kameron Tinnin concluded their careers.
“The day after our season ended last year (in the semifinals) we had a meeting with our returning players,” Cooper said. “To get here and come up just short hurts, but obviously we’re heading in the right direction. We’re excited about the future.”
