In a neck and neck match against the Pike Patriots, the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars proved victorious at 61-53 Tuesday night.

This game served as the final home game for the Cougars before they head to the Regional Tournament beginning today.

Senior Preston Worley, scored a total of 16 points for the Cougars and, according to Hii, played a large part in the success of the team. “There was no doubt that he was the best player on the floor. When he plays well, we win and when he doesn’t play well, we lose. He was really our bread and butter for the night,” said varisty basketball coach, John Hii.

With the five Cougar seniors getting ready to soon depart, Hii is looking to next year with ways to improve and make up for the players he will be losing.

“Next year is going to be a growing year. We will have a lot of new faces and hopefully new bodies to come in. Next year, we will struggle simply because I have five seniors. When you have five seniors, the next year just doesn’t flow as well. Having them leave hurts,” said Hii.

The Cougars have faced a season of ups and down, according to Hii, but overall he is proud of the work the team has put in. The goal for the Cougars at the beginning of the season was to make sure they won their last game, and that goal still remains for the team. As the Cougars head into the Regional Tournament today, they keep that goal in mind and continue to play their hardest.

“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. That’s how we’re going to be remembered and that’s how I will remember this season,” said Hii.

The Cougars are currently 18-11 for the season and are gearing up to take on Macon East Academy in the first round of the Regional Tournament tomorrow at 4 p.m.

“We’re going to shoot a lot of free throws because in January and February you don’t win basketball games if you can’t make shots. We’re going to try to get our legs back under us,” said Hii.