Cougars fall to Wakefield 62-58 in league opener years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The Centre Cougars opened the Eisenhower League season Friday with a tough match against the Bombers in a game played at Wakefield. They were defeated, 62-58.
Given a little more time, the Cougars may have won it, as their scoring improved in the second half.
Centre trailed by three, 15-18, at the end of the first quarter, but they scored only nine points compared to 18 by Wakefield in the second quarter to trail, 24-36 at halftime.
Down by 12, things were looking bleak for the Cougars at the start of the second half, but hot shooting by Burnett (six goals) aided by a three-point goal by Bryant Gutsch brought them within eight points, 40-48.
They outscored Wakefield 18-14 in the final quarter to come within four points before the final horn sounded.
Burnett and Gutsch tied for the lead in scoring with 19 points each. Thieen Antoszyk added eight.
Burnett also led in rebounding with 12, followed by Kevin Mueller with nine. Burnett and Seth Jirak provided three assists each.
The next game will be Jan. 3 at home against Elyria Christian.
The junior varsity was defeated, 77-59. They trailed by only two points at the end of the first quarter but scored only five points compared to Wakefield's 21 in the second, resulting in a 42-24 halftime score.
Wakefield maintained the 18-point lead in the second half, although both teams scored 35 points.
Three Centre players scored in double digits: James Weber, 20; Thomas Terreault, 13; and Zach Slayden, 12. Bryant Brunner added nine, Nathan Barney three, and Josh Leach two.
