CLEAR FORK —
Nick Cook has waited a long time for what he experienced Wednesday night.
For the first time in his head coaching career, the Westside head coach cut down the nets as a regional champion.
Next stop? Charleston.
“It feels good,” an emotional Cook said after his team’s 76-47 win over PikeView in the Class AA Region 3 co-final. “I’ve been waiting for this for a while.”
It should feel good.
It wasn’t the prettiest victory the Renegades have had this season. The team shot poorly to open the game but broke free with a 20-point second quarter to secure the victory.
“We’re just going to get back into the gym tomorrow and work on what we need to do,” Cook said. “After tonight, that’s putting the ball in the basket and fundamentals. We were lacking in fundamentals tonight.”
The questions surrounding the injured ankle of junior guard Corey Bowles were seemingly answered as he led Westside in scoring with 20 points.
Bowles also surpassed 1,000 career points in the victory.
“It was a perfect night for me,” Bowles said after the game, while grasping a piece of the net and the game ball. “I couldn’t do it without my teammates and coaches.”
“Corey’s special,” Cook said. “It just shows what hard work and dedication will do for you.
“He’s a kid who stays in the gym
“He’s a kid who stays in the gym and works hard. On top of anything else, Corey’s just an awesome kid.”
The emotional Cook sang the praises of the rest of his team, as well. It’s a team that seemingly grew as the season progressed; overcoming the adversity of losing a key player early in the year and overcoming difficult losses.
“I’ve got 13 wonderful kids. I love them to death. I can’t say enough good things about them,” Cook said.
It was a tough night for the 6-17 PikeView Panthers, who despite the scoring efforts of Bradley Flinchum, were unable to knock a dent in the armor of the No. 4 team in Class AA.
“My hat’s off to them,” Cook said. “They played us tough. Our defense stayed on them tonight.”
Also staying on the Panthers case was the 250-student deep “Renegade Rowdies,” who provided an atmosphere that would have made victory difficult for any opponent.
“This student section is wonderful, as always,” Cook said. “I think that really helped us tonight. It kept our energy level up. They stayed loud and helped our defense stay on top.”
“Our fans step up when it’s clutch time,” Westside’s Levi Lambert said. “Nobody knows what it means to us. They stepped up and helped us get the job done tonight.”
Now it’s on to Charleston for the Renegades, where Cook hopea his experience winning a championship as a player 19 years ago will inspire his team to victory.
“It’s what we’ve been working on all year,” Justin Cogar said. “We finally got there.”
“I’ve worked four years to get here,” an emotional senior Jason Scarlett said. “We’re going to states and prove what we can do.”
“We’re going to Charleston and take it all the way home for our fans,” Renegade Justin Kenneda said.
— E-mail: jrollins
@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @JDanielRollins.
For team coverage
check us out online at
www.register-herald.com and look for the
"In The Paint" link.
PikeView (6-17)
Austin Hazelwood 0 0-0 0, Seth Wood 1 0-0 2, Bradley Flinchum 8 0-2 16, Justin Dickinson 0 0-0 0, Austin Cordell 1 3-7 6, Jonathan Burrell 3 1-2 10, Jason Weitzel 1 0-1 2, Tyler Robinson 0 0-0 0, Tanner Farley 1 0-0 3, Logan McKinney 3 2-2 8. Totals 18 6-14 47.
Westside (19-6)
Larry Cook 0 1-2 1, Will Fox 1 2-2 4, Jordan Browning 0 0-2 0, Corey Bowles 7 4-6 20, Hunter Walker 0 0-0 0, 1 0-0 2, Bryce Robinson 0 0-0 0, Justin Kenneda 3 2-2 9, Levi Lambert 6 2-6 16, Jason Scarlett 3 1-2 7, Corey West 0 0-1 0, Matt Harless 1 0-0 2, Justin Cogar 7 1-4 15. Totals 29 13-27 76.
P 10 10 9 18 — 47
W 16 20 26 14 — 76
3-Pointers — P 5: (Burrell 3, Farley, Cordell) W: 5 (Bowles 2, Lambert 2, Kenneda); Fouled out – None.
Today's Sports Front
Related Photos
-
Westside’s Justin Cogar drives for the score as PikeView’s Jason Weitzel defends during Wednesday’s Class AA Region 3 co-final game at Westside. F. Brian Ferguson
Westside headed to Charleston
Renegades beat PikeView in Region 3 co-final to punch ticket to Class AA tourney
- Today's Sports Front
-
-
Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
-
Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
-
Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
-
Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
-
Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
-
Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
- More Today's Sports Front Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
