Murray, NEB- The Conestoga Boys basketball team hosted the Syracuse Rockets for the first round of Conference. The Rockets were ranked sixth and the Cougars were ranked third in the conference bracket.

The team prepared by watching the opponents’ film on the games they have played previously and practiced against what they will do in the game. The starters were Noah Simones, Andy Lamoureux, Ty Walker, Owen Trofholz, and Zach Smith, who won the tip off. To follow, the Rockets stole the ball and got the first two points of the game, but the Cougars soon after answered with a three pointer. First quarter of the game ended with Cougars with 17 points and the Rockets closely behind with 14 points. Throughout the second quarter they were neck and neck, but the first half ended with 35-28 with Conestoga holding on to the lead.

Head Coach Jason Ahrens says, “The team did a great job of just playing and not being too stressed at the moment. We have been in several close games this season and that helps.”

Third quarter of the game was back and forth of three pointers and getting fouled to the free throw line. Many of the fans were on the edge of their seats watching Simones, making a buzzer beater steal the lead back, making it Cougars 44, and the Rockets at 42. In the fourth quarter the Cougars managed to contain the lead with a winning score of 62-51.

Ahrens says that the key component to winning games is the sacrifice the players make. “Giving up what they want most and doing what the team needs most for us to be successful.”