Both the Columbia Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars advanced to the semifinals of the South State AAA Tournament last week at Adams County Christian but were ousted by the eventual state champions.
However, MAIS basketball is set up differently than public schools as both Columbia Academy teams are still vying for a state title. The top four teams from the south and north advanced to the state tournament, resulting in both squads receiving home-court advantage with state being played at CA.
Watts said it’s huge for not only the basketball program and Columbia Academy to host the state tournament but Marion County as well.
“It’s a first for Columbia Academy to host the state tournament. The people around here have worked really hard to get ready for this tournament. Everything is spit-shined and ready. It’s a big deal to us. It’s going to bring a lot of visitors into Marion County and Columbia.”
The Cougars (20-12) earned a first-round bye in South State by going undefeated in district play and didn’t disappoint in their opening round of action. The Cougars cruised to a 51-24 win over Park Place Feb. 15 to advance to the semifinals.
But the Cougars met up with eventual winner of the tournament, Hillcrest Christian, Friday night, falling 25-18.
“In the fourth quarter (Hillcrest) held the ball outside a lot to try to keep control of the ball. That’s why the score was low,” head coach Dale Watts said. “Neither one of us shot the ball well from the perimeter. Therefore, both teams were passing it around to try to get the right possession.”
In the consolation game Saturday afternoon, the Cougars fell 38-33 to Adams County Christian but still qualified for the AAA State Tournament.
The Cougars took on the North’s No. 1 seed, Heritage Academy, Wednesday night, but results were unavailable at press time. Heading into the matchup Watts believed the Cougars matched up well man-for-man.
“They have some size inside. No. 44 is a tall kid inside, about 6-foot-5 or so, and they have another kid, No. 3, who jumps really well at 6-foot-3 and have some shooters. Both teams will match up pretty well,” he said. “We have to establish the game early and try to maintain control, whether it’s by possession or getting freelance fast breaks.”
With a win the Cougars would take on either Riverfield Academy or Canton Academy at 6 p.m. Friday in the semifinals.
After receiving a first-round bye as District 4’s No. 1 seed, the Lady Cougars (24-10) cruised to the semifinals of South State with a convincing 61-27 win over Riverfield Academy last Thursday afternoon.
The following day, however, the Lady Cougars couldn’t muster enough late game magic to overcome the eventual South State AAA Champion Hillcrest Christian, falling 27-24. The Lady Cougars trailed by just one late in the game with a couple opportunities to take the lead but didn’t shoot the ball as well as they usually do, according to Watts.
“We never could come up with a basket at the very end to get ahead,” he said. “Hillcrest is extremely quick and physical, especially out on the perimeter. They guard you out on the perimeter extremely tight in man and have enough quickness to do that. It was really tight, but we just missed a few baskets and had to foul.”
While they were eliminated from winning South State, the Lady Cougars cruised to a 41-23 win over Adams County Christian Saturday in the consolation game to clinch the South’s No. 3 seed in the state tournament.
While winning the consolation game looked great on the surface, the Lady Cougars may have been better off losing. As the South 3-seed, the Lady Cougars matched up with the North’s No. 2 seed in Kirk Academy at CA Wednesday afternoon (results unavailable), who may be the best team in the state despite losing the North State title game, according to Watts.
“It’s called jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. By most (accounts) Kirk is the No. 1 girls team in the state, not just AAA. They’re the defending state champions and have four starters back,” Watts said Tuesday. “They’ve been playing together a long time. Their girls are extremely long, aggressive and quick. What we have to do is minimize our turnovers and get back (on defense) and keep them from getting easy baskets in transition.”
With a win the Lady Cougars would match up with either Hillcrest in a rematch or Starkville Academy Friday at 2:15 p.m.
The MAIS AAA Tournament will be covered in the Saturday edition of The Columbian-Progress.
Pictured Above: Ras Pace attempts to drive around a defender. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
