HFL Cougar Hoops

 The HFL-Eastman grade 7 & 8 boys lost their first two games in the opening weekend of the RIT Tip-off classic.  In game 1, HFL faced a physical CYP-Genier team that sat in a 1-2-2 zone for 32 minutes.  Being cold from the outside enabled CYP to pack it in and prevent the HFL bigs, Matt & Tyler, from being able to maneuver inside.  HFL's smaller guards had a difficult time with the size of the CYP backcourt.

HFL played a solid man-to-man in the first half, holding CYP to 15 by the intermission.  Looking to turn-up the tempo in the 2nd half, HFL went to a trapping run & jump.  CYP was able to handle the pressure made the HFL squad pay for the gamble finishing with a 37-11 victory.

Game two saw HFL-Eastman fall behind early against a quick Pinnacle squad from Buffalo.  The large and quick Pinnacle PG poured in 12 points in the first half, but HFL climbed back with 4 at halftime behind 10 points from Matt & Tyler inside.

At the beginning of quarter 3, Pinnacle again pulled away with their PG connecting on 3 quick hoops.  The HFL squad continued to battle and play solid defense as they started to show signs of offensive life against the Pinnacle man-to-man 'D'.

With 2 minutes left in the game, HFL found themselves down by only two points.  However, the quick and sure-handed Pinnacle team was able secure the victory by controlling the clock.  Final score 36-32.

HFL-Eastman (0-2) will finish up the RIT Tipoff tourney with two games next weekend.