Martins Hill Mustangs leave Cougar basketball with bi-district title

The Rosebud-Lott Varsity Cougar Basketball Team took on the Martins Mill Mustangs on Feb. 25 in area level competition, where the defending state champs took the match by 17 points.

Rosebud-Lott took the tip off on the and charged ahead in the first quarter, with a number of team members sinking baskets. John Reyna finished off the segment with back to back free throws with a minute left on the clock. 

Teams headed into the next quarter at 12-8, with RL pulling ahead. The Mustangs took the ball, but Rosebud-Lott made the first shot. After a number of fouls on both sides and a timeout, the opposing team began to pull ahead. The Cougars kicked it into gear and added more shots to the board, but the Mustangs took the game into halftime five points ahead.

The next two quarters were dominated by Nathan Truesdale, Jordan Landrum, Steven Buhl, and John Reyna, who added 24 additional points to the Cougar’s score. The Mustangs kicked it into action to widen the score during the last few minutes of the game. Cougar defense couldn’t keep up as back to back shots took the score to 42-59 with three minutes left in the game. A last minute timeout for the Mustangs ran down the clock and the game ended before either team could manage to score again. 

Though the 2021 season is over, the Cougars had a great run, winning third in district and making it to the bi-district round with only four losses.

“I am extremely proud of these young men and coaches in how they played this season, as well as how they have grown as young men,” commented Rosebud-Lott HS Principal Jerrod Barton.

District 17AA honors were announced just after the end of the season. John Paul Reyna was named Defensive player of the year for the second year in a row. Jordan Landrum and Johnathan Adamez were named first team all-district, while Nathan Truesdale and Breon Lewis were named second team all-district

“These guys faced a lot of adversity this season and took it in stride,” Coach Marvin Whitfield said, “and as a coach I’m extremely proud of them.”

The team will be losing five members next season as seniors Reyna, Adamez, Steven Buhl, Truesdale, and Jose Perez prepare for graduation.

“To my Seniors, it was a heck of a ride,” Whitfield remarked. “Y’all have been a part of one of the best runs in school history over the last 3-4 years.” 

This was the sixth straight year of the Cougars conquering the bi-district round. The 2022 season is set to be another great one, with plans to return to championship rounds.

“To my returners,” the pleased couch continued. “We have a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that Rosebud-Lott basketball will be back stronger and hungrier for success.”