Cougars handle Richardton-Taylor
The Central McLean Cougars girls basketball team continued its strong start to 2025 last week, securing a convincing 60–39 victory over Richardton-Taylor on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Underwood.
The win moved the Cougars to 11–1 overall, 6–1 in Region 4, and 2–1 in District 8 as the program now enters a heavyweight stretch of late-January matchups that will play a major role in postseason seeding.
Central McLean set the tone early against Richardton-Taylor with disciplined defensive rotations and quick ball movement in transition.
While the first half saw both teams trading scoring runs, the Cougars gradually found their rhythm on offense, attacking the rim and hitting mid-range opportunities to build a modest lead entering the break.
Following halftime, the Cougars took full control.
Central McLean’s defensive pressure disrupted passing lanes, while improved spacing and unselfish play on the offensive end led to high-percentage looks. By the fourth quarter, the Cougars had stretched the margin comfortably into double digits before closing out the 21-point win.
Head Coach Kipp Sparrow said the team’s performance following intermission was among its most complete efforts of the season.
“I felt that the second half against RT was some of the best team basketball we have played this year,” Sparrow said. “We will need to carry that with us to do well down the stretch run.”