The Crenshaw Christian boys had a productive holiday season, winning two tournaments over the break.

The pair of wins means that the Cougars have won the last six tournaments they’ve taken part in, dating back to the state tournament and holiday tournaments last year.

In the championship game of the Lake Tournament in Eufaula, the Cougars defeated Evangel Christian 56-48.

Earlier in the season, Evangel got the best of CCA, but head coach Michael Malpass said the defense stepped up in the championship game.

“That win helped us realize how good we can be if the players buy into what we are preaching, and that’s defense. I’m really proud of our defensive effort,” he said.

“The energy we had in the final game was exactly what we want out of the kids every night,” Malpass added. “Tate Welch and Marino Bolling took two charges for us early to set the tone defensively.”

The Cougars were helped on the offensive end by the tournament MVP Jake Hataway, who put up 30 points in the final game.

Darren Foster and Jelle Vermeyen were also named to the All-Tournament team.

In the opening round of the tournament, the Cougars defeated Westwood 50-42.

Hataway led the team with 20 points, while Sebastian Deburchgraeve and Pete King each added 10.

Glenwood was on the receiving end of a 51-38 loss in the semi-finals as Hataway had 17 and Foster scored 13.

Before traveling to Lakeside, the Cougars won the Marty Thrasher tournament here in Luverne by topping East Memorial in the finals.

Pete King was named the MVP of that tournament, with Vermeyen and Hataway making the All-Tournament team.

In their most recent action, CCA defeated Lakeside 48-37 last Saturday in a game which saw every Cougar player take the court.

Hataway scored 17 points and Foster had nine, but the highlight of the night came from Vermeyen, who set a school record with 13 blocks.

The Cougars are currently 12-2 overall with a 4-2 region record, which puts them in third place behind Evangel and Edgewood.

In recent junior varsity action, the boys topped Lakeside 32-31 in overtime.

Chase Johnson had 18 points to lead the Cougars to their second win of the season.

Johnson is also the Cougars’ leading scorer for the year with 8 points per game, while Shaun Lewis is close behind with seven points per game.

Trent McGough also averages five points per game.