Warden Cougars sweep Cle Elum
Warden junior Eric Bates (30) records one of his four blocked shots in Friday night’s overtime win over the visiting Cle Elum Warriors. Photo by Miles Douglass/Columbia Basin Herald
WARDEN — The Warden Cougars boys and girls basketball teams hosted the Cle Elum Warriors Friday night in non-conference basketball action.
The Warden teams began their night of dominance over their Cle Elum foes when the Lady Cougars rallied to defeat the Lady Warriors 54-47 in regulation.
The Cougars continued their superiority Friday night when the Warden boys varsity team held on to beat Cle Elum 49-43 in overtime.
Warden boys head basketball coach Wes Richens felt that his team got off to a slow start Friday night.
“We go into foul trouble early in the first half,” Richens said. “We were down 17-11 (early).”
The Warden boys team came out early in the second half with momentum on their side as the Cougars rallied to score the first points of the second half.
“We scored the first six points,” Richens said of his team’s rally.
The fourth quarter began with point-for-point possessions by both teams.
The Cougars and Warriors continued to battle in the quarter as the teams played to a 42-42 tie at the end of regulation.
The Warden boys took advantage of their home court in overtime as Warden scored the first points of the extra period and only allowed one point from Cle Elum.
Warden’s stingy defense helped the Cougars secure a 49-43 overtime victory at home.
Geo Flores and Nathan Brown each led the Warden boys in scoring Friday night. Both Brown and Flores finished the night with 14 points. Eric Bates led the Cougars defense with four blocked shots.