San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Short-handed Bears fall short against experienced Chaparrals
Despite missing one of their key players, Brennan didn’t back down in its matchup against Austin Westlake in the Class 6A Region IV championship game Saturday.
Brennan stayed toe to toe with Westlake, the defending regional champion, answering the Chaparrals shot for shot and playing with the hustle and determination of a young team that had nothing to lose.
But in the end Westlake, playing with an experienced lineup, used its size and consistent shooting to pull away from Brennan in the second half to win 6856 at Northside Sports Gym.
Brennan (31-9), trying to reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2013, pushed Westlake (38-1) to the limit on the shoulders of Kingston Flemings (24 points) and Camden Cowgill (15 points). The performance of the two freshmen was needed because of the absence of junior forward Robert Jackson, one of Brennan’s leading scorers, who had an allergic reaction before the game and was unable to play.
Brennan coach Koty Cowgill said having the opportunity to play for a regional championship was a good experience for his young team, which had two seniors, two freshmen and one sophomore start against Westlake.
“This experience and this exposure is great for them,” Cowgill said. “Having to play in these environments, these high-pressure situations, just understanding what it’s like and what it feels like to be here. It’s tough to take that big giant leap all of at once. So being able to take a couple of steps this year has been awesome.”
Both teams started the game hitting from the outside. Westlake connected on its first three shots, all 3-pointers, while Brennan also made its first three shots, two of which were 3s, for a fast-paced first quarter.
Flemings was the catalyst for the Bears’ quick start, scoring 15 points in the opening quarter, including four 3-pointers. His buzzer-beating 3 gave Brennan a 27-22 lead at the end of first quarter.
Westlake rebounded in the second quarter, going on a 7-2 run to regain the lead at 29-27. Brennan tied it at 33 on a layup
by senior forward Deon Williams before the Chaparrals closed out the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 40-33 at halftime lead.
The Chaparrals boosted their lead to as much as 11 twice in the second half before Flemings took charge again to lead Brennan back into the game. His rainbow floater, over the outstretched hands of a Westlake defender in the paint, wowed the crowed and got the Bears within 56-50 with 5:09 left in the game.
Westlake responded by going on a 10-6 run to clinch the game and its second straight berth in the state tournament.
Leading the Chaparrals were Conor McManus with 21 points, Jaden Greathouse (14 points) and Preston Clark (11 points).
Williams, one of only three seniors who suited up for Brennan,
said with young players such as Flemings returning next year, the Bears will have a good team for the next few years.
“They’re going to be great,” Williams said. “Next year, the following years, they’re going to be great.”
Flemings said he believes the Bears, through hard work and experience, can go beyond what they accomplished this season.
“I think we can do the same thing, go even farther,” Flemings said. “We have good freshmen coming in next year and the same team, and all of us will be older and more mature.”