A slow start resulted in another disappointing finish for the Three Rivers boys basketball Wednesday in a 51-41 home loss to Plainwell.
The Wildcats totaled just two points in the first quarter and were down 23-10 heading into the third quarter. They cut the deficit to 10 points going into the final stanza but that’s where the comeback bid stalled.
Alex Cottingham finished with 18 points and eight rebounds on 7-for-15 shooting for Three Rivers, which shot 16-for-50 (32 percent) for the game. Johnel Stewart had seven points and five boards, Adam Reed kicked in five points, three assists and four rebounds and Trenton Karle collected four points and two blocks.
Stewart said he and his teammates aren’t hanging their heads after another difficult loss.
“We’re O.K.,” he said. “The team is holding up good. We just know what we have to do to get our next win. We are just too anxious and in such a jury that we don’t slow down, and that’s really our weak spot. We need to slow down.”
Other contributors included Kyle Walczak (three points), Cam Cottingham (two), Elijah Hamilton (two) for Three Rivers, which is now 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the Wolverine Conference.
Plainwell moved to 3-4 this season with a 2-1 league mark.