UPDATE: Covenant Christian loses to Brazos Christian 43 - 36

UPDATE:

CONROE, Texas - The Covenant Christian Cougars lost to Brazos Christian in the TAPPS regional playoffs 43-46.

ORIGINAL STORY:

CONROE, Texas - The cougars are on the prowl north of Conroe, and their hunt for a state title at Covenant Christian Academy has been successful so far. The boys varsity basketball team defeated New Braunfels Christian 58-47 in the TAPPS area playoffs, and will now meet Brazos Christian in Regional play this Friday, February 26, in North Zulch, Texas.

In the playoff game against New Braunfels, Josh Martin was the high point leader with 17 points. Jonathan Martin had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds; Connor Bolleter and Thomas Breedlove scored nine points each. Basketball Coach Darwood Heldman attributes the team’s success with this well-balanced effort. .

“Good team play and the right chemistry at the right time,” said Coach Heldman . “They’ve come together as a team at the right time.”

A freshman at Covenant Christian, Josh Martin’s field goal percentage is an impressive 67%, and his free throw percentage is an amazing 83%! Josh Martin and other standout players Connor Bolleter, Thomas Breedlove, Keller Houston, Jonathan Martin, and Sam Tyminski, beat the national average in all stats with the exception of blocking, individually and collectively as a team; surprisingly for a team of average height.

Three of the four teams at Regionals are from the District which makes their run for the state championship even more impressive.

“Nobody gave us much of a chance since we were fourth in District going into the playoffs,” said Heldman. “Some think we’re the underdogs, but the team doesn’t think they are,” he added.

The team’s District record 5-6, and an overall record of 10-18, does not properly reflect how well the team is performing...peaking at just the right time to make a strong run for the TAPPS State Championship. For those who want to watch the Cougars claw their way to the State Championship, tip off is 7:00 p.m. at North Zulch High School located at 11450 5th Street (77872).

Against all odds, the Lady Cougars also had a winning season, advancing through the first round of the playoffs by dominating Brazosport Christian 64-25, but falling short of advancing by losing to New Braunfels Christian Academy 53-28.

“Our point guard didn’t return this year, and halfway through the season we lost Kaylee Pratt due to injury,” said Basketball Coach, Scott Harper. “Barbara Bahr joined the team and stepped up in a big way. She had played soccer, but never basketball. She’s a great athlete and it didn’t take her long to learn the game. I don’t know what we would have done without her,” added Coach Harper.

Having a small lineup comprised mostly of freshmen, Harper said the team exceeded his expectations. Like Coach Heldman’s starters on the boys basketball team, most of Coach Harper’s starting lineup beat the national average in stats with the exception of blocking. They finished the season with an impressive 20-9 record; 8-2 in District.

Coach Harper displayed his Cougar pride on Facebook by posting, “Well our season came to an abrupt halt today but my girls played hard and we had a great season! Future is bright for the Lady Cougars!!”

He admits that he’ll have a big void to fill next year as the only seniors on the team, the talented twins Jean-Mari and Petri-Louise de Jager, along with Barbara Bahr, will all be graduating.

“We’ll have a young, but experienced squad next year, who’ve had a taste of what it takes to get this far. We’re looking forward to having a strong team for the next three years,” said Coach Harper.

Both Coach Heldman and Harper agreed that getting their teams this far this year, strengthened the teams and raised the bar for next year.