The Coastal Bend College Cougar basketball season is off to a running and gunning start. The CBC men competing at the New Mexico Junior College hoop tournament last weekend with varying results, according to head coach Bucky Hartman.

The Cougars lost their opening game to New Mexico JC, 86-59.

“They pressed us and we had not played any teams beside ourselves that pressed and it shook us up a little. We played them close the first half then came out flat the second,” Hartman said.

Alex Horne led the Cougars in scoring with 14 points followed by Drew Sellers with 13. Big man Phillip Thompson led the CBC rebounding effort with eight boards.

The second round of the tourney had the Cougars on the floor with New Mexico Military Institute. The CBC squad played together and played some tough, aggressive defense for a 71-53 victory. Horne led the scoring again with 17 points with Schann Bratton contributing 11 points and six big rebounds in the win. Lou Barefield played well with eight points and an equal eight boards for the Cougars.

Sunday’s match-up with always tough Brookhaven was not the best effort of the Cougars as they dropped the tilt, 84-71.

“Brookhaven had lost Friday to New Mexico Military Institute who we beat. Brookhaven came out and pressed the entire game and we made costly turnovers, gave up too many offensive rebounds, and missed 20 free throws. The focus just wasn’t there as a whole,” Hartman said.

Horne was named to the all-tournament team by the coaches and was second in the tournament’s MVP voting for his fine play over the weekend.

Tuesday night the Cougars traveled to Ranger Junior College for a game. The tilt was close but the home team edged the Cougars 70-64.

“We looked good at times, but we lost,” Hartman said.

A slow start hurt the CBC crew, but they did pull within two points with about five minutes left. A couple of Ranger offensive boards hurt down the stretch and the Rangers pulled out the four-point win.

“We made some bad decisions offensively and gave up too many offensive rebounds,” Hartman said.

Reggie DeVaughn and Drew Sellers led the Cougar scoring with 14 points apiece. Horne followed with 12 points in the loss.

The Coastal Bend College Classic tournament started last night (Friday) with two games scheduled. Victoria College tangled with Ranger at 6 p.m. and the Cougars took on Cedar Valley College at 8 p.m. On Saturday at noon, Victoria will meet Cedar Valley and the Cougars will look to gain a little revenge on the guys from Ranger at 2 p.m.