The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Cougars win three straight





 

 

After losing two games in the WYMT Mountain Classic, the Letcher County Central Cougars were back in action in three games last week. They played Cordia January 13 on the road and then traveled to June Buchanan on Friday night before coming home on Saturday night to take on Gate City, Va.

Against Cordia, the Cougars were all business as they shot almost 50 percent for the game on 24-49 shooting on their way to a 76-57 victory. The Cougars were 8- 15 from trey land and pulled down 40 rebounds as they handled the Lions.

On Friday night, the Cougars traveled to Pippa Passes to take on the Crusaders of June Buchanan. The Cougars had beaten the Crusaders earlier in the year in one of their better games of the year as they hit 13 three-pointers on their way to a 75-58 victory.

But Friday night would be a different story as the Cougars had to claw and scratch their way to a 64- 52 victory. It was the most physical game of the year for the Cougars as they led 17-13 after one and 33-27 at the break. Clint Stepp got hot in the second half for the Crusaders as he hit for six three-pointers on his way to 20 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars increased the lead to 46-35 after three on their way to the 12-point win.

The Cougars hit 22-56 from the field and 17-20 from the free throw line. They outrebounded the Crusaders 43-34 as they continue to dominate opponents on the board.

The Cougars were well balanced in scoring on the night and were led by Jordan Reynolds in one of his best games as a Cougar. He put in 14 points and a commanding 13 rebounds. He was 8- 8 from the charity line. Charlie Banks had 12 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Cole Cornett had 10 points and 5 rebounds. Josh Proffitt had 9 points with 2-5 treys and freshman Logan Johnson continues to impress with 9 points and 5 boards in 12 minutes of action. Floor general Devin Blair had 8 points, 6 boards, and 3 assists. He was 4-4 on the line.

Stepp led JBS with 20 points on 6-18 treys. Brent Hall had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cougars improved to 12-3 on the season.

On Saturday, it would be the Gate City, Va., Blue Devils with a record of 5-5 making the trip to Ermine. The Cougars did not let up as they pressured and created turnovers galore against the Blue Devils. The Cougars led 18-9 after one and 33-15 at the break. They turned it on in the third and blew out to a 53-37 lead after three. The Blue Devils hit a few treys to make it exciting but that’s about it as the Cougars rolled 78-62.

The Cougars were led by Josh Proffitt with 19 points followed by Devin Blair with 18. Proffitt had 3 treys and Blair hit 2 and he hit 6-6 from the free throw line. Freshman Logan Johnson showed his speed and strength on the boards and put in 12 points in his best overall game of the season. He has really produced when his number has been called. Jordan Reynolds and Cole Cornett continue to play well on both ends and they both hit for 8 points. Charlie Banks and Eric Ison each had 5 points to round out the Cougar scoring.

Gate City got the score within 14 at 53-39, but that was as close as it got. The Cougars improve to 13-3 and the Blue Devils fall to 5- 6.

The Cougars were getting ready for their biggest match-up of the year as the Perry Commodores — fresh off of winning the WYMT Mountain Classic — were to make the trip to Ermine on Tuesday night in a big game that had every Cougar fan excited. The Commodores, after winning the Classic, were blown out by Hazard in Hazard last week and were ready to take it out on the Cougars.

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