If the Tomball Cougar boys’ basketball team is to foster any hopes of making a playoff push in 2011, they’ll likely need to get started soon. Four games into district 13-5A play and the Cougars are 0-4 after a Jan. 11 loss to Klein Collins.

The Cougars went into the contest at Klein Collins looking to end a three-game skid and get into the win column in district play for the first time this year. Through the first three quarters it looked as though that was a good possibility.

After the Klein Collins Tigers took a 17-12 first quarter lead, the Cougars’ offense picked up the pace in the second quarter. Tomball outscored the Tigers 22-18 in the second to cut the Klein Collins’ lead to just one point, 35-34, going into halftime.

The Cougars stayed hot in the third quarter, putting up 20 points while holding the Tigers to 15 and taking a 54-50 lead into the fourth quarter.

But the Tomball offense hit the skids in the final frame, netting just five points while the Tigers put up 15 on their way to a 65-59 victory. The win improved the Tigers’ record to 9-14 overall and 2-2 in district. The loss dropped the Cougars to 10-13 overall and 0-4 in district.

Tomball’s Marque Booker led all scorers with 17 points while Michael Simpson was the Tigers’ leading scorer with 16 points.

It’s been tough going for Tomball in the New Year. After defeating Cy Creek 65-57 on Dec. 28, the Cougars have dropped their last four, all district contests.

On Dec. 31, Tomball fell to Spring, 69-52. They followed that up with a loss to Klein Forest by the same score on Jan. 4. Klein knocked off Tomball on Jan. 7, 56-46.

The Cougars have two games remaining in the first round of district play: Jan. 18 against Klein Oak and Jan. 21 against Westfield. Tomball took on Dekaney Jan. 14. Results of that game were unavailable at press time last week.

Ronnie Harrison and Booker have been the offensive leaders for Tomball so far this season. Harrison is the Cougars’ leading scorer, averaging 15.4 points per game, while Booker is averaging 14.7 points per game.

Harrison is also the team’s leading rebounder, grabbing 80 defensive boards and 37 on the offensive end, and shot blocker with seven.

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