Cougars Dominate Clash at Canyons Tournament

The College of the Canyons (COC) basketball team made a strong statement at the recent Clash at Canyons tournament. They secured two impressive victories to claim the championship. The first win came against Barstow College, with a final score of 87-59. The next day, they faced Cuyamaca College in the final and won 87-66. COC's freshman Thomas Pickens was a standout player. He scored a game-high 25 points off the bench. His performance was crucial in securing the win against Cuyamaca. The team's strong shooting, especially in the first half, helped them build a solid lead. They shot over 58% from the field and made 4 out of 8 three-pointers. Cuyamaca College had a tough time keeping up. They shot just over 30% for the game but made 22 of their 28 free throws. Isaiah Aquino scored 24 points for Cuyamaca, but it wasn't enough to overcome COC's defense. The Cougars forced 13 turnovers in the second half, which helped them pull away. COC's dominance was clear on the boards. They outrebounded Cuyamaca 40-30. Dwayne Boston Jr. led the team with seven rebounds. Wyatt Wilson and Muhammad Butler also contributed with 11 points each. The team's bench played a significant role, scoring 54 points in total. Julius Washington was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Wilson and Pickens were also recognized as All-Tournament Team members. This victory marks COC's second Clash at Canyons title, with the first coming in 2023. The Cougars are now set to compete in the Irvine Valley College Classic. Their first game is against Ventura College on Thursday at 5 p. m. This tournament will be another opportunity for COC to showcase their skills and build on their recent success.