Cook Sets Blues’ All-Time Scoring Record
The Parry McCluer High School boys basketball team won a trio of district games against Pioneer District opponents to clinch the number one seed going into the district tournament.
With the victories, the Fighting Blues concluded the regular season 18-3 overall and 10-0 in the district, winning the regularseason district title for the third consecutive year. In the win over Narrows on Thursday, junior Langston Cook set the alltime scoring record for PM.
After receiving a bye in the semifinals, the Blues, who are hoping to also win their third straight district tournament, were scheduled to play host to the winner of Monday’s quarterfinal between Bath County and Highland County in the semifinals, scheduled for last night. The semifinal winner will advance to the district championship game, scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the higher seed, while the loser will advance to the consolation game, slated for Friday at 6 p.m. For district tournament updates, visit www. thenews-gazette.com.
In the three wins over Highland County, Craig County, and Narrows the Blues outscored their opponents 242-106.
Before the game against Highland County (10-9 overall, 3-7 district), which PM won 70-31 on Monday of last week in Buena Vista, the Blues honored their three seniors: Nathan Glass, Sam Griffin and Landon Orren. Griffin and Glass have played all four years, while Orren joined the team this winter.
It was a slow start to the game for the Blues, missing buckets on multiple early possessions, which allowed Highland to gain an early 4-0 lead. Four minutes into the quarter, PM found its rhythm with buckets from Quentin Rosser and Langston Cook and led 10-6 at the end of the quarter. Cook led PM with 31 points, while Rosser scored 12 points.
”We really picked up the intensity in the second quarter and it was big for us to get going,” said PM head coach Tyler Kerr. Forcing turnovers off a fullcourt press, the Blues outscored the Rams 24-10 to take a 34-16 lead into halftime.
The Blues leaned on an intense display of full-court pressure throughout the entire third quarter and often forced turnovers on Highland’s side of the court. Cook led the Blues’ press with six steals, and PM took a 62-21 lead into the fourth quarter.
With a running clock rule because the lead was 30 points or more, the Blues entered many of their reserves after two minutes into the final quarter and convincingly finished the game.
PM 83, CC 29
Visiting Craig County (4-13, 2-8) on Tuesday of last week, the Blues dominated from beginning to end. PM led 43-15 at halftime.
Cook led PM with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Rosser, Glass and Jamier Jordan scored 14 points each, with Rosser going 4-of-5 from threepoint range. “That was Rosser’s get-back-on-track game offensively,” said Kerr. He’s so talented in that regard, but he’s been a bit cold as of late.”
Summing up his team’s performance, Kerr said, “We play intense defense, shared the ball, and we’re just focused on building good habits because playoff time is here. From there we separated ourselves and jumped out to a big lead.”
PM 89, Narrows 46
Traveling to district rival Narrows (13-6, 6-3) on Thursday, the Blues cruised to an 89-46 win.
The Blues were locked in a tight contest with the Green Wave early, leading 16-11 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Blues outscored Narrows 34-8 to take a 50-19 lead into halftime. PM extended its lead to 70-33 by the end of the fourth quarter and stayed comfortably ahead in the fourth quarter.
Cook led the Blues with 31 points and eight rebounds and had four steals, surpassing the all-time PM scoring record previously held by 2006 PM graduate Adam Gilbert, who is the head coach of the PM girls. Gilbert scored 1,401 in his career, and Cook had scored 1,426 points after Thursday’s game.
On how important Cook’s record was, Kerr said, “Our guys are smart. They knew how close Langston was to the record and wanted to get him there. It was in their head, and they wanted to celebrate with him.”
Also stepping up was Glass, scoring 21 points and shooting 8-of-9 from the field while grabbing six rebounds and six steals.
PM FORWARD Sam Griffin (22), one of four seniors honored before the Blues’ 70-31 home win over Highland County on Monday of last week, races a Highland County player for the ball. (Ronnie Coffey photo)
