Ansbach's Patrick Kabuye scored 6 of the Cougars 32 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hohenfels' offense during a game at Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 48-32 Saturday. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach's Patrick Kabuye scored 6 of the Cougars 32 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hohenfels' offense during a game at Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 48-32 Saturday. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels' Trajan Powell gets a little help from his teammates as he drives toward the basket during Saturday's victory over Ansbach in Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 48-32. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels' Isaac Lopez attempts a shot against visiting Ansbach Saturday in Germany. Lopez contributed 9 points during the Tigers win over the Cougars, 48-32. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels' Brandon Schull gets past Ansbach defenders Saturday, during a game at Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 48-32. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels' Tamia McDaniels goes for two points and ultimately scores 11 points Saturday against Ansbach during a game played at Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 35-33. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Hohenfels' Shelby Atkinson makes a shot over Ansbach players Saturday during a game at Hohenfels, Germany. The Tigers beat the Cougars 35-33. (Michael Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
HOHENFELS, Germany - When the Ansbach Cougars traveled to Hohenfels on Saturday to face down their rivals, they were hoping to get a little payback for the Tigers’ sweep the day before.
Unfortunately, the Hohenfels Tigers had other plans.
It started well enough for Ansbach, with the JV winning 35-26. But that was it for the Cougars.
The varsity boys lost 48-32 as they had trouble containing Mark Carr, who put up 14 points, four blocks and handful of steals. Carr and teammate Tony Saintmelus were seemingly everywhere at once as they combined for almost half of the Tigers scoring. Even so, both players credited the coaches and the team for the win.
“It felt good to win, but we won as a team,” Saintmelus said. “Not individuals. We came here to play hard, and play together. ” Saintmelus, who scored nine on the day, said that the team was excited to play at home, regardless of the final outcome. “But it’s always nice to win.”
The Tigers are undefeated this year after only having won a single game last season. They now look forward to a slew of teams they were unable to win against in the past.
Carr and Saintmelus both said they’re ready for the challenge.
“We’re excited.” Carr said. “We worked hard to be better and it feels good to win, especially because of how much we lost last year.”
It was the Hohenfels girls who stamped the most resounding “W” in the column Saturday. The Tigers put on an absolute clinic, dominating the court in every conceivable way. They took an early lead and never let up, leading 45-16 at one point. The Cougars never quit and fought their way back in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late as the Tigers closed out the game, 53-33.
The Tigers had three double-digit scorers: Shelby Atkinson with 10, Tamia McDaniels with 11 and Amelia Heath with 12.
Atkinson said her team’s victory was especially sweet because it was against a team that has grown to become their closest rival.
“We really haven’t been able to beat Ansbach before yesterday and today,” she said. “It feels wonderful to finally win.”
The Tigers and Cougars will face each other one more time this season on Feb. 15 at Ansbach, and it’s safe to say that Saturday’s games will be on both teams’ minds.
