Cougars rally past Wilson

GREENVILLE — After defeating Riverheads in the first contest of the Augusta County Tip-Off Classic on Wednesday night, Stuarts Draft coach Marc Sweigart said his team was finding its identity. The Cougars (2-1, 0-0 Southern Valley District) found their place Friday night against Wilson Memorial by rallying from behind in the fourth quarter to win 45-39.

The Cougars entered the fourth quarter trailing the Green Hornets 33-26. The Hornets started accumulating fouls and the Cougars inched their way to close the gap.

Fouls mounted for both teams in the second half. After back-and–fourth play, the foul that energized Draft put the team within two points when Katie Yancey’s successfully made two free-throws. The score was 37-36 in favor of the Hornets, but the Cougars’ Rachel Barlow penetrated the Hornets’ defense and scrabbled and made the basket that put the Cougars on top 38-37. Draft came through the back-door with a Sarah Surratt bucket and guard Rickyia Prunty put the Couagrs in front with, 40-37.

“We’re still looking for our identity,” Sweigart said. “We did well up and down the court a little bit. But we are trying to turn on that switch a little earlier.”

Whatever switch the Cougars were searching for, they found it in the very last seconds of the game.

One of those sparks was from Prunty.

“She came out and played maybe 10 minutes tonight for us and did a good job,” Sweigart said. “We needed that.”

Wilson (1-2, 0-0 Shenandoah District) lost its first game of the season. The Hornets were led by senior Dee Deacon, who had 18 points on the night had two 3-pointers in the contest.

The Green Hornets are a young team that lost five seniors. Hornets coach Jackie Bryan said her team is still trying to find their place on the court.

“It was a slow night I think for both teams,” Bryan said. “That’s not an excuse. I think that it goes deeper than that. A lot of people have to still find their way. They’re still adjusting.”

For the Cougars, they will still search for the right combo on the floor.

“I don’t know what to expect from this team,” Sweigart said. “I’m still trying to figure them out.”