The 33-3 Wildcats, one of the only teams to defeat Tomball in the regular season, was the last state ranked foe in Tomball’s bracket. If the Cougars could get past Cy Woods, the list of teams able to contest Tomball in their path to the state championship game would have gotten favorably short, and a state championship berth a little clearer on the horizon.

However, the contest snapped Cougar fans out of their reverie, or maybe it was the thought of revenge against the Wildcats. Whatever it was, droves of fans, alumni and media and were on hand March 5 at Cy Ranch High School to witness one of the marquee match-ups of this year’s playoff and find out the answer to the age old question, “What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?”

The Cougars controlled the opening tip off, but were unable to score. Cy Woods’ nearly unstoppable offense took advantage, getting off to a quick 12-4 start fueled by Tomball’s lack of offensive efficiency and rebounding. Junior forward Demarco Richardson was a juggernaut in the paint for Cy Woods and could not be kept off the glass.

However, senior guard Matt Brown stepped up for the Cougars, gaining penetration and drawing fouls, while finishing tough lay ups to bring Tomball within 7. At halftime the score was 22-15.

The Wildcats then ripped off a 5-0 run to open the third, but the Cougars would battle back to pull within. Tomball’s Reid Wallace then knocked down a timely three-pointer to cut Cy Woods’ lead down to 5, making the score 28-23.

As if the packed gym wasn’t already hot enough, Tomball went on a 6-0 run to bring the Cougars to within three points while nearly starting a riot in Tomball’s student section.

Wildcat senior guard Tyler Nicholas then silenced the opposing team’s crowd as he has so many times this season with a game tying three-pointer.

Tomball forward Jordan Leslie also got into the act, knocking down another shot to put the Cougars up three points with five minutes left in the third.

Head coach Brad Ball switched the Cougars into a 3-2 zone, which pressures ball handlers on the perimeter and makes it nearly impossible to get a good look from beyond the three-point line. Turnovers, huge defensive stops, and excellent defensive rebounding ensued, powering the Cougars to a 45-44 lead.

The game took an odd turn of events when it was postponed for five minutes by order of the fire marshal while ecstatic Cougar fans got into their seats.

After an exchange of baskets, Tomball’s Brown then came up big again with a three-pointer to put the Cougars up 52-50. The senior was perfect from beyond the arc. Intent on keeping their state ranking intact, the Wildcats battled back only to find themselves behind again 56-55 courtesy of two Wallace free throws.

Senior guard Carvelle Martin also knocked down two consecutive jumpers to hold back the Wildcats. But Cy Woods would not be denied, as they came back and tied the Cougars at 64. Brown tied the game again at 66 with a pair of clutch free throws.

The Wildcats then tried to hold the ball for one of their three sharp shooters to drive the nail in the coffin. In an amazing defensive effort, Tomball held the Wildcats scoreless for nearly 1:45 and forced a crucial turnover with 54.8 seconds on the clock.

The plan was to hold the ball and take the last shot, or force overtime. However, an ill advised shot sent the Wildcats racing the other way for the final two points of the night to end the Cougars’ admirable playoff run, the most successful in school history. The final score was 68-66.

Wallace finished with 22, Brown had a season high 15 points, and Leslie contributed 17 in a heart breaking third round loss.

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