NEW MARKET — The Soutmont boys’ basketball team used a strong first half to build a lead and hold on for a 58-54 win over Cascade on Tuesday night.
The Mounties led 33-23 at the half, but the Cadets turned up the pressure on both sides of the ball and were able to cut the Mountie lead to just two points with under a minute to play.
Led by Senior Austin Bowman, the Mounties were able to hold on for the win.
Bowman led all scorers in the game with 24 points and stepped up when his team needed him most hitting 8-9 free throws to help seal the Mountie win.
“He was great throughout the majority of the game like a senior should be,” Southmont coach Jake Turner said. “He wanted the ball at the end of the game because he knew they had to foul and he wanted to take those free-throws.”
The Mounties (6-5 2-2 SAC) played the final stretch of the game without both Carson Chadd and Avery Saunders as both fouled out. Logan Oppy also stepped up alongside Bowman scoring 17 points. Turner said the adversity his team faced will help his team out in the long run.
“It’s one of those things that did have both Carson and Avery out but that allowed guys like EJ Brewer and Steele Baumgardner to play some valuable minutes for us,” he said. “They were ready for the moment and they responded really well, and hopefully what we’re going through now will help us later in the season.”
Aidan Roach led the Cadets with 22 pts in the loss. Next up for the Mounties on the schedule will be the always-tough Covington Trojans on Friday night back at home.
“They’re an excellent program and have been for the last 20-25 years,” he said. “They expect to come into most games and win. (Tyler) Pinkerton is an excellent player and we know that they won’t beat themselves. We’re going to have to avoid some of those self-inflicted mistakes, and if we do I think we have a great shot.”
