Missed opportunities were a big part of a game that saw the Cam Cougars fall to the Paton-Churdan Rockets 66-47 in Anita Friday night. Both teams started off slow, as neither team took advantage of open looks in the first quarter. However, in the second the Rockets started to convert on their chances. Despite CAM’s offense improving throughout the game, it failed to have the same success at converting that Paton-Churdan did. Although the Cougars played their best basketball late in the third and early in the fourth, trimming the lead down to 10, the Rockets stole momentum right back and never relinquished it as Paton-Churdan picked up its first win of the season.

Neither team got off to a hot start. Both offenses struggled early as they struggled to take advantage of open opportunities. There was just a combined 23 points scored in the opening quarter with 13 of them scored in the final two minutes. However, that changed in the second quarter as shots started to fall for the Rockets. In addition to a trio of three-pointers, Trevon Keeley went on a tear. He scored 12 of his game-leading 24 points in the second frame to help propel Paton-Churdan to 23 points in the second quarter. Meanwhile, The Rockets’ defense tightened up. Although CAM, still had its opportunities, they weren’t as plentiful as in the first. After knocking down three three-pointers in the first quarter, they hit just one in the second and were held to just four field goals. Colin Bower who led CAM in scoring (with 11 points) finished the half with seven points as the Cougars trailed 36-22 at halftime.

The early going in the second half continued to swing towards the Rockets. Three minutes in, Paton-Churdan had established their largest lead of the night (19) to that point as hopes at a potential comeback dwindled. However, at the halfway mark, the Cougars started to pick up some steam. Defensively they made things more difficult for the Rockets and some buckets started to fall. Kayden Winther and Braxton Dennis both hit threes in the frame as by the end of the period they had cut the deficit to 12. The momentum continued to build into the fourth as the Cougars would cut the lead down to 10. However, in the blink of an eye the Rockets took it right back. Back-to-back CAM turnovers saw Keeley slam one home that was immediately followed by one of Cayden Stream’s four three-pointers gave reestablished Paton-Churdan’s 15-point lead. With all the momentum on their side the Rockets never looked backed on their way to their first win of the season.

The Cougars, now 0-3 will head out on the road to face Ar-We-Va on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Paton-Churdan at 1-3 will play Saturday afternoon at home before hitting the road again to face Exira-EHK on Tuesday.