Cougars Fall for First Time This Season

The two games for the Piedmont Academy varsity boys basketball team in the Border Wars Tournament did not go as hoped for the Cougars.

Early foul trouble along with an ankle injury to a key player helped contributed to an 86-53 loss to tournament host Glenwood (Ala.) on Monday evening.

“We were just stagnant on offense,” coach Will Johnson said. “We didn’t move the basketball like we had been doing earlier in the season. It may have been due to the long trip and not having much practice recently.”

Jackson Welch suffered a twisted ankle in the first quarter and did not return until the game’s second eight minutes.

Ryan Holder scored 30 points for Piedmont and surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career. He was the lone Cougar player to finish in double figures on Monday.

“Glenwood is a good team but they are not 30 points better than us,” Johnson said. “It was just a perfect storm of events. They definitely had a home court advantage.”

Piedmont was called for 17 team fouls in the first half alone compared to nine for the host Gators.

On Tuesday the Cougars continued to compete in Alabama and were involved in a much closer contest with Lee-Scott Academy. Piedmont (4-2 overall) fell 64-61 but had a chance to tie the score late.

“We had too many turnovers,” Johnson said. “It was a tough two days. We are glad to be leaving Alabama.”

Holder and Luke Welch provided the one-two punch offensively with 23 and 21 points respectively. Jackson Welch added seven points.

The Cougars return to action on Tuesday when they host Class AAA Community Christian at 7:30 p.m.