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Last year’s MAIS Overall Runner-Up Team that finished a perfect 30-0 regular season return one starter. With a young team the Cougars hope to continue its winning tradition of the last few years. The boys lived up to that tradition by winning their first 4 games with Coach Crain still looking for the right mix of players and talent. The second week of the young season Simpson beat Lamar Christian 70-55 with returning starter Sam McWilliams leading all scoring dropping 37 on the visiting Lions. Other high scorers were Ethan Brewer with 8, Hayden Groover 8 and Kyle Russell with 7. The second game of the week came against a very talented Jackson Victors team. The Cougars maintained a lead for most of the first half after a 9-2 run held onto a 37-30 lead at the half. Simpson pulled away in the forth with another strong performance from senior McWilliams cutting up the Victor’s defense for 41 points and 12 rebounds. The Cougars played a host of players and held on to win 74 to 56. The next game was against a veteran Central Hinds squad from Raymond. This game was close throughout with Simpson leading 12-10 after one but trailed by 1 at the half 29-28. Simpson trailed by 2, 61-59 with 40 seconds to go before having to foul only to fall short 68-60. Top performers were McWilliams with 39, 7 rebounds, Brewer 5 points, 3 steals, Bowen Kelly 5, 3 rebounds, Hunter Cline 5 points, Waters Adkins 4 points 6 rebounds and Grover 7 rebounds. The next game for Simpson High School was at the New Orleans Pelican Arena November 29 against a talented and only once beaten Leake Academy. The game started back and forth before Simpson started to pull away leading 31-20 at the half. Sam McWilliams put up 12 point in the third to stretch the lead to 52-25 after three periods. Simpson cleared the bench with all the Cougars getting an opportunity to play in a professional coliseum and kept the pace winning in a route 76-41. McWilliams lead the way with 35 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Hunter Cline 11 points, Hayden Groover 6 points and 9 rebounds, Ethan Flynt 6 points, Ethan Brewer with 4 and Waters Adkins 2 and 6 rebounds. Other scorers were Layton Brown with 3, Morgan Leonard 3, Jacob Holbrook 2, Zack Holbrook 2 and Brice Caughman 2 with 3 steals. Both Boys and Girls played their respective games then stayed and watched the Pelicans beat the LA Lakers in the late home game. Everyone had a blast and enjoyed the big game atmosphere in the coliseum. The Cougars next game will be Thursday night at Bowling Green School also in Louisiana with varsity girls tipping off at 5pm.
