Tough conference games yield two Rector losses

For three quarters, the Cougars hung right with 2A-3 powerhouse Turrell Thursday night in Rector. Unfortunately, it was a difficult fourth quarter in which the 70-41 loss was determined.

The Cougars began the night by giving the visiting Rockets, the number two ranked team in the conference, all they wanted in the opening frame. Rector had their offense working from both the inside and outside, as they moved to a 15-12 advantage by quarter's end. Kirk Horton and Tyler Kirklin both scored layups, while Zach Burleson notched five points on a drive and a long-range bucket. Brandon Stevens topped the quarter off with two three-pointers in the last 2:38.

The teams battled back-and-forth in the second quarter. The first half came to a close with the Cougars trailing, 28-25.

The third quarter began the downward slide, as Turrell utilized several Cougars miscues to rattle off 10 unanswered points. Rector fell behind 40-33 going into the fourth.

The Cougars managed just eight points in the final frame, as they continued to struggle with holding on to the ball. Rector finished with 26 turnovers on the night, putting themselves in a tough position with a team as strong as Turrell.

"We made way too many mistakes with the ball," Rector coach Matt Mills said. "For two quarters, we played really well and did what we needed to do. In the second half, we looked like a completely different team. You can't have that many turnovers and expect to beat anybody."

Burleson and Kirklin led Rector with 12 points each. Also scoring were Stevens 8, Horton 4, Dan Blackshare 4 and Cory Hager 3.

Junior Boys

The Junior Cougars were downed in their meeting with Turrell, 63-43.

The guests jumped out to a 22-7 lead after the first quarter which set the tone for the game's remainder. Rector trailed 31-17 at intermission and 45-29 going into the fourth.

Alec Scott finished with 16 points to lead the Junior Cougars. Also scoring were Daniel White 8, Dillon Shelton 8, Josh Loveless 6 and Tyler Carter 5.

Loss to EPC

The Cougars fell just short in their meeting conference leader East Poinsett County Tuesday night, 58-49.

Rector led 12-9 after the first, but trailed 27-21 at the half. EPC moved ahead 42-32 going into the fourth.

Three Cougars scored in double figures on the night, led by Burleson's 17 points. Stevens and Kirklin finished with 13 and 11, respectively. Also scoring were Clinton Haley and Horton with four points each.

Rashad Madden led EPC with 21 points.

Juniors Win

The Junior Cougars came away with a 55-43 victory in their meeting with EPC. Rector led throughout: 13-11; 27-16 and 46-29.

Mitchell Weber was lights-out, scoring a game-high 28 points in the win. Shelton and White notched 12 and 11, respectively. Scott rounded out the scoring with two points for the young squad.