Big loss to Rockville does not deter spirits of Cougar coach

Friday, February 8, 2008

ROCKVILLE -- Watching his team move to 1-14 with a 53-point loss has to be tough for any coach.

However, North Putnam boys' coach Wes Peek would never let it show. Facing a Rockville team he called "unbelievable," Peek gave nothing but praise to his team and its effort after a 115-62 loss Thursday night.

Peek used a word not often associated with lopsided losses: fun.

"It was a fun game for them to play and for us to coach in because they played their tails off for 32 minutes and did everything we wanted them to do. We were just really happy with their effort," Peek said.

The Cougars (1-15, 0-5 WCC) knew they were facing a tough opponent in the Rox (15-2, 5-1 WRC). Peek said the team and coaches refused to pay attention to the score, knowing they simply had to play their game and get the most they could out of their effort.

"Our kids have never played harder in three years than what they did tonight. We were just so pleased with the way they kept playing," Peek said.

"Our emphasis was, no matter what the score and no matter what the situation, we're going to keep attacking. They did that," he continued. "Our kids felt like, no matter what the score was, they were going to have fun playing basketball and they did. It was just a lot of fun tonight despite the score."

The Cougars are looking for the same attitude on Saturday when they host South Putnam at 4 p.m. in a varsity-only contest.

"We're looking to have the same kind of effort we did tonight. If we do that, everything will take care of itself," Peek said.

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