Columbia Academy (16-10, 1-1) finally began district play last week and got to see just how it stacks up with the rest of District 4 AAA.
The Cougars kicked off their district slate Jan. 22 in Waynesboro with a 53-51 victory over Wayne Academy.
“We struggled, but we did a good job and managed to hang on for the win,” head coach Dale Watts said. “Tate (Duncan) fouled out with about six minutes to go, and Ethan (Stringer) probably had his best game. He stepped up and hit some critical free throws for us. I’d have to hand him the game ball so to speak.”
Ras Pace poured in a team-high 23 points, following by Duncan with 19 and Stringer with 10.
At home Friday night, the Cougars started out strong against Bowling Green in the first half, but foul trouble caught up to them in a 54-47 loss. It’s a game that could stick in the minds of Columbia Academy as it trailed 50-47 with five seconds remaining and seemingly came away with a loose ball to have a chance to send it to overtime. However, amidst the scramble the referee heard someone yell out for a timeout and charged it to the Cougars, though Watts didn’t call for one. CA didn’t have any timeouts remaining and was charged with a technical foul, leading to two Bowling Green free throws and loss of possession.
Pace led the Cougars with 16 points, while Duncan added 13 and Stringer chipped in 11.
The Cougars found themselves in another barnburner Saturday night at Parklane Academy in McComb and couldn’t hit the potential game-winning shot in a 49-47 loss. Watts said Parklane is an extremely big team with multiple players 6-foot-4 and taller, which slowed the game down with more activity in the post.
“It was a slow-paced game, but we were up two at the half. We got behind some in the second half, and we were down seven in the fourth quarter. We came back, tied the game and had the ball with 24 seconds to go. We turned it over, and they went down and scored,” he explained. “We got a timeout with 2.5 seconds left down two, and we ran a little play and got a great look from three, but it hit the rim and didn’t go in.”
Hays Carley, who had already hit two clutch 3-pointers to tie the game, took the last shot that just rimmed out. Pace led the Cougars with 21 points, and Duncan had 13.
Duncan’s scoring average has dropped off in January, while Pace’s has risen, which is a result of how teams are playing the 6-foot-4 southpaw, according to Watts.
“Teams are really focusing on Tate. They have two players on him most of the time, and if they don’t have two on him they’re still making sure he’s having a hard time getting looks at the basket,” he said. “We need to have way more precision on our passing to get him the ball.”
Now that the Cougars are two games into their district schedule, Watts said he believes the Cougars have what it takes to be the top team at the end of the season.
“I thought we were better than Bowling Green; we just didn’t play a very good game,” he said. “I feel like we can still win the district. I feel good about it.”
Watts added it will be really important for the Cougars to win the district because he believes Hillcrest Christian is the best team in the South of AAA. If Columbia Academy wins its district, the two teams would be on opposite ends of the South State bracket. A second-place finish would put the Cougars on the same side as Hillcrest.
Columbia Academy was scheduled to play Laurel Christian on the road Tuesday, but the game was postponed until Thursday. The Cougars will play host to Wayne Academy in a rematch Friday night before hosting Presbyterian Christian Saturday.
Pictured Above: CA's Robert Johnson shoots a free throw against Salem. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
