Coach Wolfy, Thurgood Enjoy Lengthy Run in OHSAA Tourney; Cougars Seek 1st District Title Ever;
Face State Champion Purcell Marian Tonight
by Deon Cash
Coach Duane "Wolfy" Hutchinson has had success on the court as head coach, but this year has went almost exactly how he planned it.
The Thurgood Marshall Lady Cougars won tueir 3rd consecutive City League Championship. That was something the team desperately wanted.
He watched his seniors emabark on great personal career acheivements. Then he watched three of those seniors (Samara Gibson, Makayla Williams, Morganne Postell) get scholarship opportunities to play at Central State, his old coaching grounds.
They won two games in the OHSAA tourney this year after winning their first game under the "Wolfy" regime last year.
They got a chance to hoist a elusive OHSAA Sectional Title for the first time in his coaching career after a 3 OT marathon against Bellfountaine in which All-League G-F Williams dropped a season high 32 points.
Hutchinson led the Lady Cougars to a 3rd consecutive City League title, but he did it behind a brutal schedule knowing that it would hopefully pay off come playoff time.
And it has, as the Lady Cougars now will face their toughest opponent all season in Cincinnati Purcell Marian tonight (5pm), who are led by All-Amercian and arguably the top player in the 2025 class, Dee Alexander.
For Hutchinson and the program, it would definitely be a historic moment to knock off the likes of the Lady Cavaliers.
Wolfy told his team yesterday in practice:
"I feel really good about where we are at. We plan to play this game in 2 min intervals, and we know how extremely talented Purcell is. We have to take care of the ball and hit shots. Our defense will be ready.
It's only a few teams still playing basketball in Ohio and I'm just thankful that we are."
Regardless of the outcome, the Thurgood Marshall Lady Cougars have made history once again, just a year after a groundbreaking season.
Will the magic continue to last? That remains to be seen. But expect the Thurgood Marshall Lady Cougars to be ready for war tonight at Mason HS.
They've had a dream season so far. Will the March Magic continue for the Lady Cougars?
Stay tuned.
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