Cougars build big lead, hold on for 74-62 win over Indians

Text by Steev Riccardo; Patriot staff photos. More photos follow

WEBSTER – The Quaboag Cougars, led by the outstanding scoring duo of senior guard Thomas Jankins and sophomore forward Jake Wisniewski, knocked off the Bartlett Indians for the fifth time in the last two seasons and in the process kept them from winning a SWCL championship on Tuesday (February 5) 74-62 in front of a big crowd at the Bartlett gym.

The Indians, who are 11-3 in their division and 12-5 overall, could still gain the SWCL title if they win their final two games and the Cougars, also 11-3, loses at least one of their two remaining SWCL games. If the Indians had beat the Cougars Tuesday, they would have been in a much better position, but it didn’t happen.

The Cougars opened a 10-0 lead in the opening 1:30 and although the Indians fought gallantly, they were never able to get back in the game and never led at any point.  Like their previous game in Quaboag earlier this season, this game was a mismatch.

Junior forward Alex Givins-Perry scored seven first-quarter points but the Cougars opened a huge 27-9 lead, hitting five 3-pointers and controlling the boards.

The Indians went on to outscore the Cougars 53-37 in the final three quarters but they couldn’t put together a big enough run to catch the visitors, who were sparked by Wisniewski and Jankins, who combined for 51 of Quaboag’s 74 points.

Givins-Perry finished with a team leading 23 points, while senior co-captain Akeem Belnavis had 16 for the Indians. 

Junior Evan Anderson also played a spirited game for the Indians with eight points and several good defensive plays.

The Bartlett jayvees improved to 13-4, winning the preliminary 69-43.

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