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The Cougars and Lady Cougars basketball teams took on Georgia Christian Academy and Citizens Christian Academy Friday night in the region tournament. Both the Cougars and Lady Cougars came out victorious, eventually taking home the title of region runner ups.

The Cougars faced tough competition, but came out on top 39-38 after a buzzer beating shot was made by Wyatt Carpenter.

The Cougars scored 10 points in the first quarter. Carter Hathcoat scored five points, making a three pointer and two free throws, while Gabe Parker also scored a three-pointer and Seth Parker made a layup.

Georgia Christian amped up their defense in the second quarter, allowing for the Cougars to score only eight points. Hathcoat scored three points, while Seth scored five. The third quarter proved to be even tougher with Carpenter being the only one to make a shot. He made two layups and a free throw.

However, it all came down to seconds in the final quarter. Georgia Christian went point for point with GCA.

Seth scored three points, while Hathcoat scored four. But, the final 20 seconds Carpenter scored when he was needed most. The Cougars were down by two points when Carpenter ran it back down the court and made a three point shot. Georgia Christian knew it was over but attempted one long shot to the net and missed.

As the buzzer went off, fans and family members ran onto the court and hugged Carpenter and other teammates for their refusal to give up.

With this momentum and giddiness in the stands, the Lady Cougars were bound to win too.

Lainey McRae took possession of the ball at tipoff and ran it straight to the net, scoring two points and later making a free throw. Emellia Woodrum scored four points in the first quarter, while Caroline Wells, Kate McRae and Mary Glenn Warr scored two.

Going into the second quarter, Warr dominated the court, scoring six points, while Wells scored three, Kate scored two and Lainey scored one.

Coming out of half time, Citizens Christian put up a fight, and scored 17 points in the third quarter, while the Lady Cougars only scored six points, which were made by Warr and Kate.

The Lady Cougars refused to lose and scored 22 points in the final quarter, giving them a 53-44 win. Warr and Wells both scored seven points, while Lainey scored four and Woodrum and Kate scored two.

While the game was a team effort, Athletic Director, Rhonda Wells said Woodrum and Warr were the stars of the game.

“Mary Glenn has the most points, while Emellia had crucial steals and timely baskets.”

Both teams will go on to fight for state and have not given up hope that they can bring home a title.