The Shadow
On Friday evening, February 2, the Varsity basketball teams played in back-to-back games against the Floyd County Buffaloes. The girls played at 5:30 p.m. while the boys at 7:00 p.m. Both games were similar in nature, right down to the fact that it all came down to the last seconds of the ball game and both teams of Varsity AHS Cougars just missed tying the game by 3 measly points.
The Varsity girls were up first to take on Floyd County, though the Buffaloes were off to an early lead after an athlete sunk a 3-pointer. Kelsey Nicely then stepped up to sink a 2, making it a 1-point game. However, that small lead by Floyd County would quickly add up.
In the meantime, by the end of the first quarter, the Lady Cougars were down by 9 to Floyd County. That lead would grow to 13 when halftime came, and the Lady Buffaloes led the Lady Cougars 27-14. However, Head Coach Jeff Wolfe must have given an amazing pep talk in the locker room because when the girls came back on the court, they had a new energy about them.
By then end of the 3rd quarter, the Lady Cougars had knocked it down to an 8-point game: 38-30, Buffaloes. In the 4th, Macyn Cash sank two 3-pointers, helping the Lady Cougars soar to a 2-point game with the clock winding down. After landing a foul shot, the Buffaloes were up by three with 9.5 seconds on the clock. It wouldn’t be enough time for the Lady Cougars to finish the comeback they started and they would lose the game 44-41. Had there been an additional minute remaining, I predict the Lady Cougars would have either won the game or sent it into overtime.
While the boys had the same outcome as the girls —a loss by 3— the pace of the game was quite different. The Cougars were first to put points on the board. Then the Buffaloes, then the Cougars, Buffaloes, Cougars, Buffaloes, Cougars, Buffaloes, etc. Literally, it was in that order. You should see my notes from the game… if you could read them.
In terms of basketball games, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen two teams more evenly matched. It would all boil down who would have the best strategy while simultaneously keeping cool under pressure. Those questions wouldn’t be answered until the final moments of the game.
At the end of the first quarter, the Cougars only trailed by one point, thanks —in part— to the Buffaloes landing 3 out of 4 foul shots taken. The score was 12-11, Floyd County. At the end of the second quarter, it was the Buffaloes who trailed by one with the Cougars ahead 26-25. At the end of the third quarter, it was 34 all.
This circles right back to these teams being so evenly matched, it was scary. Floyd County was both first and last to score in the fourth quarter with both of those shots being 3-pointers. That didn’t stop Alleghany from answering back. With 3:23 remaining on the clock, it was 44 all. Fans were beginning to wonder if the game might go into overtime. However, Floyd County had a plan, and it was well-executed.
Once the Buffaloes took possession, they kept a close watch on the clock and chose to take a big bite of it, dribbling the ball around for well over a minute while challenging Alleghany to try and steal the ball. The athlete kept a close eye on the Cougar defense and, with less than a minute on the clock, began to pass the ball around to his fellow offensive players until one successfully shot and sank a 3-pointer. It put enormous pressure on the Cougars to not only sink a 3 but do so with less than a minute on the clock.
That type of pressure on any athlete would be a lot to take in. The boys Varsity Alleghany Cougars, like the girls, walked away with a 3-point deficit of 47-44, Floyd County. However, the battle was fought with class, grace, and remarkable skill!
The Varsity Boys’ Basketball team is currently 15-5 overall, 6-3 in the region, and in 4th place in the Three Rivers District (TRD).
It was a job well done for both teams of Varsity players.
Individual Scoring:
Cash 12, Hayslett 12, Turner 10, Heighter 9, Leitch 8, H. DePriest 6, Fridley 6, Harden 6, Webb 6, Caldwell 4, Nicely 4, Stayton 2
