The Superior Central boys basketball team split its regular-season games against Rapid River this winter.

So, heading into their rematch in a Division 4 district semifinal on Feb. 26 at Big Bay de Noc, the Cougars liked their chances.

Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go as planned for the Cougars as they struggled offensively and saw their season end with a 37-26 setback.

“We just missed,” SC head coach Adam Ely said. “Ryder Kroupa was coming off a concussion and not playing for a weekplus. Zander Bigger made some big baskets, but, other than that, we all just missed. We had looks and they didn’t go in.”

Superior Central was unable to score in the first quarter and faced a 5-0 hole after one. They picked things up in the second, where Bigger hit three triples as part of his 12 points. Drew Begovac also hit a shot from the floor, pulling SC to within 15-14 at the half.

Kroupa canned a 3-pointer in the third, and the Cougars were still in the mix entering the fourth, down just 25-21.

They could only get a 3 from Blake Tanner and a basket by Kroupa in the final frame, though, allowing the Rockets to continue their season.

The Cougars were led by Bigger with 12 points. Tanner and Kroupa both netted five points, and Begovac added four.

Despite the loss, Ely liked what he saw from his players throughout the season.

“On the court, the season was fun,” he said. “This group never played together before, was half a JV team with no depth or numbers and had to follow the best record the school had in 11 years. This particular group put in a lot of time and work in the offseason, and they were determined to represent our program the right way after we were able to build it up. They continued the work during the season, and I think it showed.”

SC wraps up the season with a 9-14 overall record. They’ll look to regroup next year, replacing four seniors. And they’ll have to do so with a new head coach.

“Off the court, the season was very frustrating as I was not able to run my entire program the way a varsity coach should be able to,” Ely said. “After our athletic department and I could not agree on how to successfully sustain a program, I made the very difficult decision to step away as the boys coach. I am very proud of the way we maximized every player and team over these last five years and how the kids were able to turn boys basketball around here.”