Cougars headed to regional for first time in 10 years

Kirk Horton(4) leads the break during Wednesday's win over BIC [Click to enlarge]

The Cougars had a daunting task ahead of them in last Thursday's district tournament semifinal game with East Poinsett County, matching up against the top team in 2A-3. In the end, the Warriors of EPC not only claimed the game, 57-27, but would go on to take the district crown during Friday night's final.

Rector clawed out to an early lead on two strong post plays by junior Tyler Kirklin in the first 1:36.

The Warriors used defensive pressure to stall the Cougar offense, for over three minutes, posting a 7-0 run which moved them ahead, 9-4.

Kirk Horton and Brandon Stevens both managed buckets from the pain late in the frame, while Zach Burleson sank a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds remaining the first to bring Rector back in the hunt, trailing 13-11 heading into the second quarter.

Conference Player of the Year Ky Madden got EPC rolling in the second, scoring eight points in a crushing 12-0 run to start the period. By the time the dust settled, the Cougars went into intermission behind, 33-14.

Rector's only points in the second quarter came on a Burleson three with 1:11 remaining in the half.

The difficulties continued in the second half, as the fresh Warriors kept up the tight defensive pressure. The Cougars, playing in their third game of the week, were unable to keep up with the conference leaders, trailing 48-18 heading to the fourth.

"We knew that was going to be a tough one going in," Cougar coach Matt Mills said. "They're the best team we've played all year. They're really hard to match up with even when you're fresh."

Burleson finished with six points to lead Rector. Also scoring for the Cougars were Mitchell Weber 5, Kirklin 4, Horton 4, Stevens 2, Clinton Haley 2, Ben Petty 2 and Dustin Smith 2.

Madden led EPC with 16 points. Darius Barnes added 11 in the win.

Following the tourney finals, Cougars Burleson and Kirklin were named to the All-District squad for their efforts throughout the tournament.

Regional Berth

The Cougars clenched a spot in the regional tournament at Midland with a 54-45 win over Buffalo Island Central last Wednesday in the second round of district play.

Rector led by as many as 10 throughout the game, but BIC wrestled their way back into the game in the fourth quarter, closing to within three, 38-35, with 5:18 left to play.

Stevens came through in the pinch, sinking a pull-up jumper from 10 feet out and burying a three-pointer on a nice bounce pass from Horton to push the lead back to eight, 43-35. The Cougars made 11-14 free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

Rector led throughout: 13-8; 25-18 and 35-27.

Burleson finished with a game-high 19 points. Horton also played well, netting 15 in the win. Also scoring for the Cougars were Kirklin 8, Stevens 8 and Haley 4.

Heath Hawkins paced BIC with 12 in the loss.

The Cougars took the court with a lot of energy, pressuring BIC with tough defense.

"Everything they (BIC) got was contested," Mills said. "I thought our defense was the key."

The win allowed the Cougars to achieve one of their season-long goals.

"All year long we've worked hard toward our goal of going to the regional tournament," Mills said. "Now, we've earned our shot. These guys have put in a lot of work to get to this point. It's been 10 years since the Rector boys have been to the regional tournament."

Mills said he was confident in his team heading into the contest.

"I knew today in practice we weren't going to lose that game. These guys wanted it so bad. Our slogan all week was 'Refuse to lose.' This team has worked like dogs all year for that game. I'm so proud of them."

The win capped off an impressive run by the Cougars, marking their sixth straight win and ninth of their last 11 played.

Rector, the fourth seed in 2A-3, will face Melbourne, the top seed in 2A-2, in the first round of regionals at 5:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Midland.

"We're not real familiar with them, but we know they're good," Mills said. "I can tell you this: we're going to be ready to play and we're going to get after them."

With a victory, the Cougars will meet the winner of Marmaduke-Midland at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The finals are set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday.