The Cougars’ post season success didn’t end March 4 at Cy Ranch High School. Tomball received numerous accolades and recognitions, including “Surprise team of the year” on Channel 55’s High School Sports Live annual “Slammy Awards.” The Cougars finished with an overall record of 27-7, beating out traditional powers such as Bellaire, Dulles, and Langham Creek to finish fifth in 5A greater Houston rankings.

The Cougars’ 2008-09 season was also historical, as Tomball will hang a district championship banner from it’s rafters for the first time since 1975 and only the second time in school history. The Cougars also garnered numerous 13-5A district honors. Senior forward Reid Wallace and junior Jordan Leslie were first team and academic All District selections, while senior guard Carvelle Martin was second team All-District.

Senior guard Matt Brown, post Colin Wierengo, and wing Tyler Nicholas were honorable mentions and academic All District selections. Senior post Peter Michaelson and forwards Matt Fannon and Chris Morris also made the academic All District team.

However, it was head coach Brad Ball and Wallace who put the final touch of red and white in this year’s district honors, as the duo brought home both the district MVP and Coach of the Year awards. Wallace also earned first team All State and was selected to represent Tomball in the TABC All-Star game.

Ball credited the support the Cougar fans provided this year as a significant reason for their success.

“The community support and the student section brought a sixth man type of dimension to the game,” he said. “It was a lot of fun and I can’t thank those guys and girls enough.”

The Cougars’ versatility powered Tomball to the top of one of the deepest, toughest districts in Texas. While it certainly takes a talented team to shoot 50 percent from the field, this year’s focus was more on work ethic than talent. The Cougars’ motto this year was “round wheels.” Ball’s explanation was, “A train can have a great engine, but unless you have everything going forward in the same direction, it won’t get anywhere. To do that you need the roundest wheels possible.”

This year’s team took the motto to heart and pulled the rope in the same direction, towards a district championship and an admirable playoff run.

The Cougars are currently hard at work in the offseason, preparing to defend their title against a talented district.

“They’re going to be young and inexperienced, but they’re athletic, and they have a chance to be good if they’re willing to work for it,” Ball said.

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