Leland and Gray Rebels v. Springield Cosmos (Boys) 12/28/12

Devin with a jumper

CHESTER - The Leland and Gray Rebels beat the Springfield Cosmos in the first round of the annual Green Mountain Tournament Friday, December 28.  Through sloppy play, the Rebels allowed the Cosmos to catch up and even take the lead at one point. But despite their poor performance, the Rebels overcame their slump in the second half to win the game 44-31.

Bergeron (left) and senior Kirby Goodrich (right)

Immediately into the game, the Rebels looked to be in trouble.  After a nice put back by senior captain Michael Bergeron, junior Brady Devin countered with a three to put the Cosmos in the lead.  Devin hit another three and then a jumper to give the Cosmos the 8-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Aberie (left) avoids block by Bergeron (right)

Although the Rebels dominated under the hoop, the Cosmos were scrappy and energetic to make up for their height disadvantage.  Their defense was impressive throughout the game, especially by junior Tanner Aberie.  Just over a minute into the second quarter, the Rebels found themselves taking bonus shots.  Despite good performances by Bergeron and senior captain Drew Barnum, the Cosmos kept making their outside jumpers to maintain their lead at 22-19 by half.

Things were looking awful for the Rebels -  they were missing their shots, they turned the ball over thirty times, and they set a season record low forty-four total points.  Although the offensive momentum hardly changed the second half (where Barnum and Bergeron continued to score the majority of the points), the defense stepped up dramatically.

Coach Nystrom gives pep talk

In the third quarter, the Rebels held the Cosmos at just three points to give themselves a ten-point lead heading into the fourth quarter where the fortified defense held itself in the same vein to keep the Cosmos at bay.  The Cosmos scored a mere nine points in the second half.  Overall, the Rebels had twelve steals, three blocks and a remarkable twenty-four defensive rebounds.

Barnum (left) guarding senior Jordan Crowley (right)

The most valuable players of the game were Bergeron and Barnum who had a combined thirty-six points (about 82% of the team total).  Bergeron led the team with twenty points, seven defensive rebounds and four offensive rebounds.  Barnum had a total sixteen points on the night, went three-for-three with his three-pointers and led the team with three steals and four offensive rebounds. 

The Rebels fought through the hellish game to compete in the next round where they will face the Twin Valley Wildcats.  The Wildcats beat the Green Mountain Chiefs 52-51 in the first round.