COLLIE Cougars men’s under-19 side was narrowly defeated by Dream Team at Eaton Recreation Centre last Friday.

Dean Garner was on fire in the first half, scoring 14 of Collie’s 17 points.

Collie was unable to hit three-point shots, however tight defence forced the Dream Team to use this as its major scoring option.

Ethan Miller excelled as the Cougars’ main defensive rebounder and Fraser O’Brien’s quick passing into the keyway gave Garner many of his scoring opportunities.

At half-time the score was even on 17 points. Joel Jackson was the first scorer in the second half with a two-point shot.

But the Dream Team hit two free throws to even the score and then scored a two pointer to take the lead.

Garner stepped in to assist Miller in defensive rebounds and O’Brien managed to block a Dream Team shot from behind before stealing the ball and creating a turnover.

Miller came under foul pressure at this stage and the umpire sent him off the court to settle down rather than tech foul him which would have left the Cougars with four on the court.

During this time the Dream Team scored from a couple of free shots while Garner and Jason Chappell added to Collie’s score.

Miller came back into the game and scored a two-pointer after receiving a beautifully judged pass under the basket from Chappell.

Collie’s defence held strong as the clock counted down.

Chappell drew a foul and the Dream Team scored from one of their free shots to be within a point of the lead.

Collie lost possession of the ball after the throw in and Dream Team had an open run to their basket with only seconds to go, hotly pursued by O’Brien.

The umpire gave a foul under the basket at the final siren. The Dream Team player hit his first free shot to even the score and the second to win the game.

The final score was Dream Team 30 points to Collie Cougars 29 points.

Scorers: D Garner 20, E Miller 5, J Jackson 2, J Chappell 2.