Cougars shock top-ranked Bishop Eustace

On Wednesday night, the Cougars delivered an unbelievable performance, defeating top-ranked Bishop Eustace at Bishop Eustace 65-55. In what was an unforgettable experience for all who attended, the Cougars had a coming out party of sorts. The Countrymen were on their game from the start in an electric atmosphere, letting everyone know they believed in the Cougars chances in this one.

The first quarter was not a great indicator of how the night would end up for the Cougars. After a Hank Davis ('13) three for the first points of the game, the Cougars started to fall behind as Eustace went on an 11-0 run. The quarter ended with Eustace leading 16-7. However, the Cougars did have some encouraging signs, as Jake Gurkin ('12) looked rock solid on defense, refusing to let Eustace get too many points inside.

After a Eustace basket to start the second, the Cougars started to show they were sick of being down in this game. Gurkin, Marc Schlessel ('12) and Brett Roseman ('12) scored consecutive baskets to cut the deficit to four. Eustace hit two more shots to bring the lead back up to eight. However, Gurkin scored four consecutive points on two free throws then a jumper to cut the lead back to four. After a Eustace basket, Austin Wetzler ('14) drained a three to cut the lead to three, seemingly changing the momentum of the game for good. A Schlessel free throw then cut the lead to two. Gary Hettinger ('13) tied the game at 28 with an offensive rebound followed by a layup before the half.

Gurkin had ten points in the half to lead the team, followed by Wetzler with five.

The Cougars did not take control of the game from the start of the second half. After an initial Eustace three, Schlessel fired right back to hit a three-pointer of his own to re-tie the game. Eustace scored four straight, then the complex of the game and perhaps the Cougars' season changed because of one person: Jake Silpe ('15). Silpe started the Cougars' run with a bang, recording a steal then a layup to cut the deficit to two. On the ensuing possession, Marc Schlessel altered a jump shot in air, made the shot and was fouled. He made the free throw to give the Cougars the lead. He once again altered his shot midair on the next possession to give the Cougars a 38-35 lead. A Hettinger bucket gave the Cougars a five-point lead. Eustace scored the next bucket, cutting the leas to three. Then, Silpe once again drove to the basket and was fouled, showing the poise of a great ballplayer. He sank both free throws, driving the lead back up to five. Another Eustace three was countered by a Jesse Gold ('12) jumper. Another Eustace three was countered by yet another Gurkin layup, giving the Cougars a 46-43 lead heading into the final quarter.

Schlessel started the fourth-quarter scoring with a layup to extend the lead to five. Eustace came right back and hit a bucket of their own. Then, in one of the pivotal moments of the game, Silpe drained a three. The Eustace gym exploded at this point. If anyone was unaware of Silpe's graduating year before that three, everyone knew after, as every Countryman chanted "he's a freshman". The excitement was clearly building in Cougar nation as Silpe strengthened the lead to six points.

Silpe clearly had already had a great day for a freshman. A couple free throws, a nice layup and a key three in the fourth quarter. Was he done? Silpe answered that soon with an emphatic "NO!" as he hit one of the most unbelievable layups I have ever seen at the high school level. He completely fooled the defenders, went up contested and still made the bucket to bring the Cougar lead to eight. The kid's a freshman! The Cougars advanced the lead to 10 with a Hettinger basket.

Despite the ten-point lead, things started getting dicey for the Cougars as Point Guard Jesse Gold fouled out with less than three minutes remaining. Eustace cut the lead to 55-50. However, Gurkin hit two free throws to bring the lead to seven. Eustace then hit a free throw to cut the lead to six but that is the closest they would get. Silpe, filling in for Gold at the point, hit two free throws to bring the lead to eight. Then, the Cougars recorded a steal. But that's not all. After the steal, the outlet pass went to Gurkin. Gurkin could have put it up there for the easy two. However, he chose to emphatically dunk it home, sending the crowd into a frenzy, and essentially telling Eustace to say goodbye to it's number one ranking in South Jersey. Schlessel and Hettinger combined for four more points, giving the Cougars a 65-55 win.

The Countrymen stormed the court after the game and everyone left the gym in euphoria (well, except for the Eustace fans).

Player of the Game: Honestly everyone. A win like this takes a full team effort. However, Silpe and Gurkin really stood out. Silpe had a coming-out party of sorts for his career, recording nine points in the huge win. Gurkin played incredible defense on the inside while also contributing 16 points on the offensive side of the ball

Key Stats

Schlessel-17 points

Gurkin-16 points, 15 rebounds

Silpe-9 points, about 5 "He's a Freshman" chants

Hettinger-11 points

Wetzler-5 points