Lyle's Cougars almost pulled the upset of the Goldendale Holiday Tournament last Friday, losing in overtime to Columbia High of White Salmon 66-64.
The 2B Cougars (2-2) tackled their second 1A team in as many days, giving a good account of themselves and showing off blazing speed and gritty defense.
Columbia (5-4) capitalized on its height advantage early, as 6-foot-7 Thomas Jeter booked eight points in the first quarter while Lyle had trouble finding good shots. Bruins Kent Shelley and Greg Tellez were hard to handle as Columbia broke on top 18-9 in the first quarter.
Part of the Cougars' strategy was to stay out of foul trouble since their bench was thin with only eight players making the trip. They managed to stay foul free for the first half while keeping to their harassing style of defense. With Jeter resting on the bench, the Cougars gained momentum and were only down 27-22 at the half.
The Bruins tried to open a lead in the third, scoring 20 points. But Lyle wasn't going anywhere as it scored 19 of its own with a fast-break style of offense.
Half a minute into the final quarter, Aaron Churchill pulled down a huge rebound and was fouled by Tellez on the putback shot. Tellez was also assessed a technical foul. Churchill hit 1 of 2 and Joey Nelson made both technicals to bring Lyle within a point at 47-46. Following some back and forth action, Reggie Grace coolly knocked down a jumper from the left side to put Lyle on top 48-47.
Tellez settled down and hit three shots over the next 2 minutes while the duo of Nelson and Tyler Wells ran the baseline scoring for Lyle.
Cougar Mike Murphy came alive hitting a laser 3-pointer from the corner and Nelson tied the game at 56 from the foul line with 2:54 to go.
Murphy began to control the boards while Nelson and Wells swarmed on defense getting Grace open for a three pointer off a Nelson steal. Shelley got Columbia even hitting 1-of-2 free throws with 1:09 left.
The Bruins tried to set up Jeter at the 29-second mark, but Wells stole the ball and Grace got the outlet to Nelson who couldn't hit. Darnell Douglas came back with a foul-line jump shot for Columbia which missed at the buzzer.
Murphy put Lyle on top 60-59 with a free throw to open overtime scoring.
Columbia then scored six unanswered points as Taylor Champion and Douglas hit for two followed by a nice reverse lay in from Shelley to make it 65-60. Nelson closed the lead to three points and intentionally fouled Douglas with seconds left. Douglas hit 1 of 2 and Grace scored again before time ran out on the Cougars.
Columbia girls rout Lyle
The Lady Cougars had a much more difficult time with the Columbia girls team. After a closely fought first quarter, Bruin Ericka Ziegler began dominating in the paint both on defense and offense. Columbia led 21-14 at the half.
Lyle came out in the third with Brittney Johnson nailing a 3-pointer, but things quickly got out of hand as the Bruins outscored the Cougars 21-7 in the quarter.
Ziegler continued to score as she got help on the boards from Kelsey Kidd.
Chelan Weiler ran the offense and was tenacious on defense for Columbia, which capitalized on several Lyle turnovers.
Lyle senior Jessica Struck tried to lead her team back, but the Cougars looked exhausted by the end of the quarter.
Tosha Cloud hit her only bucket for the night early in the fourth and Lyle seemed to catch their second wind.
However, the Cougars could not solve the Bruins' defense and added only eight points in the final quarter, including a 3-pointer from Kristen Stanovich.
Weiler controlled the game to the end with a slowed down offense and Columbia won 55-29.
Weiler led all scorers with 17 followed by Ziegler with 12. Struck had 10 points for Lyle. Lexi Becker added six rebounds and four assists.
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