Boys’ Basketball finishes season with 14-6 record, get by the Indians 54-46.

It wasn’t the result that many expected after the Cougars beat SM North handily in their first meeting 75-48. But on the Indians last home game of the season a maximum effort was to be expected.

Although Northwest got the victory, it was easy to see that they were not clicking on all cylinders for most of the night.

“ You never want to say its good to play like that,” coach Mike Rose said, “But certainly our kids should be focused and realize you got to play hard every night.”

Northwest was in control for most of the first quarter, Junior Trey Fruehling knocked down his first two three of the night and finished the quarter with eight points.

Senior Steve Carver and Junior Drew Goodger were also both factors inside making two easy layups, close to the basket. North a made a mini-run of 5 points to end the quarter however keeping the game in arms length at 17-13.

“ We gave up too many points in the first quarter.I think it was 13. We just can’t do that will be going through the emotions defensively and just waiting for a big burst to erupt and have the points spread get out there and it never did. Give Shawnee Mission North credit they had a nice game plan,” Rose said.

In the second quarter, the Indians continued to chip away at the lead and eventually tied the game at 19-19 with 6:12 remaining.

Each team traded the lead throughout, but the telling series of the quarter was North’s determination on the offensive glass which led to 5 rebounds and eventual three pointer by Sophomore Llyod Young to give North the lead once again.

Going into halftime Northwest only led by a point against their rival 29-28.

In the second half, the Cougars tried to extend their lead again by pounding the ball inside instead of playing from the perimeter.

“ Our stats at halftime were 2-9 from behind the arc and 9-12 inside, so it was pretty simple in the second half, quit shooting threes and start dumping the ball inside,” Rose said.

Northwest continued to work the middle of the Indians 2-3 zone for much of the second relying heavily on Carver who finished the game with a team high 20 points. But the main focus of the night was on the other end of the floor.

“ I wasn’t so worried about the offensive end of the floor tonight as I was the defensive end,” Rose said.

The Cougars never trailed in the second half and were able to hit enough free throws down the stretch to secure a victory.

The team begins the sub-state tournament on Thursday, March 4 at Northwest. The other three teams in the Cougars bracket its still undetermined, but it could include any of the following seven teams: Lawrence, Lawrence Free State, Leavenworth, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North,  Shawnee Mission South, and  Shawnee Mission West.

According to Coach Rose the most likely opponent will be the Lawrence.

Shawnee Mission Northwest:

Steve Carver 20 points

AJ Spencer 14 points

Trey Fruehling 12 points

Drew Goodger 6 points

Sam Phelps 2 points

For more information on the Sub-State tournament check back later this weekend to smnw.com or follow the link below:

http://www.kshsaa.org/BASKETBALL/bskreg.html#Class6A