By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

It wasn’t for lack of effort that the Cougars fell to 3A Southeast of Saline Friday. They were defeated 54-51 in the first game of the season, played on the home court.

As coach Greg Wyatt put it, “we won for 31 minutes, but lost it in the last one.”

The Cougars lost the game at the free-throw line, where they completed just eight of 26 attempts. Southeast completed 13-of-21.

Both teams got off to a slow start.

Centre led, 8-6, as the first quarter drew to a close. However, a Southeast player threw a spectacular half-court pass that went in as the horn sounded, giving the Trojans a one-point lead. It was the last time they would have the lead until late in the fourth quarter.

Centre scored 17 points in the second quarter, including a 3-pointer by Adam Matz and two by Brian Burhoop. Southeast scored seven points. As a result, Centre led 25-16 at halftime.

The Cougars were outscored 17-13 in the third quarter but still led, 38-33.

With 4 minutes, 30 seconds left in the game, Southeast caught up and went ahead by one. The lead changed several times after that.

With one minute remaining, Centre led 49-48. The lead evaporated for good after Tanner Brunner missed two free throws and Southeast made a bucket and three free throws.

The Cougars walked away with a disappointing three-point loss.

“We showed great hustle and team effort,” Wyatt said afterward. “We gave up too many offensive rebounds (11) and missed too many free throws. We played well enough to win.”

Brian Burhoop led his team in scoring, with 15 points. Trevor Troutt also scored in double digits, with 10 points. Brunner led rebounding, with nine, followed by Trevor Troutt, with six.

After watching his team play, Wyatt is upbeat about the coming season.

“Making free throws, rebounding better, and finishing plays will allow us to win many games,” he said.

Statistics

SES 9 7 17 21 = 54

Centre 8 17 13 13 = 51

Team play

Two-point goals: SES 16, Centre 14; three-point goals: SES 3, Centre 5; fouls: SES 24, Centre 21; free throws: SES 13/21, Centre 8/26; rebounds: SES 31, Centre 25.

Individual play

Two-point field goals: Cole Svoboda 1/1, Adam Matz 1/4, Tyler Klenda 2/2, Brian Burhoop 2/4, Tanner Brunner 4/8, Trevor Troutt 4/14.

Three-point goals: Matz 1/2, Klenda 1/3, Burhoop 3/8.

Free throws: Alex Hajek 0/2, Heath Hill 0/2, Matz 1/2, Klenda 2/4, Burhoop 2/3, Jacob Jirak 2-0, Brunner 1/5; Troutt 2/6.

Total points: Svoboda 2, Matz 6, Klenda 9, Burhoop 15, Brunner 9, Troutt 10.

Assists: Hajek 1, Kerbs 1, Matz 1, Klenda 1, Burhoop 1, Jirak 1, Brunner 1.

Rebounds: Hajek 2, Matz 1, Klenda 2, Burhoop 3, Jirak 2, Brunner 9, Troutt 6.

Steals: Hajek 1, Kerbs 1, Burhoop 1, Brunner 2.

Turnovers: Hajek 1, Kerbs 3, Matz 2, Klenda 2, Burhoop 5, Jirak 1, Zach Antoszyk 1, Brunner 5, Troutt 2.