Cross County upends Summerland's tourney dreams

The best laid plans often go awry.

Such was the case, March 6, for the Summerland boys' basketball team.

Unfortunately, the awry moment arrived at the Devaney Sports Center during the Bobcats' opening-round game against Cross County in the Class C2 state basketball tournament, causing an early exit after a 44-30.

The opening minutes of the game looked promising.

The Bobcats took a 6-2 lead, powered by junior Preston Hoke.

But Cross County responded with a 14-0 run. They never looked back.

Cougars' coach Jimmy Blex said it took until midway in the first quarter for his squad to feel comfortable.

"We handled the pressure pretty well ... We hit our bunnies. That definitely makes life easier," Blex said.

Cross County shot 54% from the two-point range, nailing 13 of 24 shots. From beyond the three-point arc, they experienced trouble, making only one of 10 shots.

The Bobcats couldn't seem to get anything to fall.

They hit three of 19 three-point shots and shot 23% - six of 26 - from two-point range.

Michael Koenig led the Bobcats with 13 points and completed a double-double after grabbing 10 rebounds.

Hoke finished with eight points. Carter Bergman grabbed three steals.

Bobcat coach Brett Kaczor said "We just weren't getting them to go. We go on that run to cut the lead by working it in the paint, and then we hit one three and think we can make the next 10. Don't get me wrong, I love our confidence, but at the same time, we need to keep the gas pedal down and keep attacking the rim."

Blex said Summerland's defensive scheme is similar to the Cougars. The difference, in his opinion, came down to size.

"Our physical size and toughness definitely was a factor," he said.

Kaczor said his players were getting good looks, noting the physicality of play.

"They were constantly bumping us, but we have to be able to play through that," he said. "We'd miss a shot. You could just see it on their faces, we didn't know whether or not we could make that next shot."

The coach hopes to build on the positives when the team works over the summer months.

Summerland finishes the season at 21-4, qualifying for state for the first time. They were district runners-up in 2023.

Kaczor said he told his players - especially the seniors - to look how the program grew in four years.

"We went from six wins to nine wins to 18 and now 21 and making the state tournament," Kaczor said "It's all a testament to them, with our three seniors. They don't get a lot of playing time. It would've been easy to cut at any point in time but they stuck with it and got us that foundation that hopefully, we can keep going with."

Kaczor's starting lineup will return next year. He noted their disappointment.

"The season all of a sudden drops to a close, but this group sticks together. I think they understand we have to become more physical over the summer. As long as we stick together, we'll do that," the coach added.

The atmosphere in the locker room post game was "tough," Kaczor said.

"I feel terrible for them. Gosh dang it, we worked our tails off to get here. I told them we have to put in a lot more work over the summer. We know we can do it. we know we can get here. Now it's just a matter of taking it to the next step. They're motivated kids," Kaczor said. "You've got to find a silver lining and hopefully remember that score next year."

Statistics vs Cross County

Parker Napier: 3r, 1to

Sam Cheatum: 3p, 1r, 2a, 2s, 3to

Alec Schindler: 6p, 2r, 2s

Bergman: 1r, 3s

Koenig: 13p, 10r, 1a, 1s, 2to

Hoke: 8p, 1to