On Tuesday, the Colonels played a 3-A school and found something of an umbrella against the hot hands from the 3-point land and cruised to a 56-42 victory over St. Pius X.
"The last three games we had 32 threes against us," head coach Greg Scott said. "That's 96 points. We did a much better job defending the threes against St. Pius and closing out their shooters. Even though they made five threes, we didn't give up the two as easily."
Just as important was the fact their defense -- holding their opponent to 3 points in the second quarter -- let Cass transform a 14-13 deficit at the end of the first quarter to a 32-17 lead at the break. Cass led 40-28 at the end of the third period.
"Ian Clay did just an awesome job for us rebounding, offensively and defensively," Scott said. "Sam Taylor made eight threes tonight and last night. In honor of that, we told him we'd keep him playing in the auxiliary gym so he'll be shooting in the same-type environment."
Scott noted Cass is practicing in its auxiliary gym and has been pleased with the results from Taylor but said others will soon pry the lid off the basket for treys.
"We were due for somebody to have a good night shooting," he said Tuesday night. "Last night Sam hit five and tonight he hit three more."
The coach said the success of other squads using the three is just something the team has to learn to handle better.
"They (the 5A schools) were just hitting them and we're not that great at hitting them right now," he said. "When they hit so many it kind of puts pressure on our kids to go down and match them.
"Our threes are going to go in but when they're shooting them we have to dig in on defense and made sure we don't give them second or third opportunities."
Scoring for the Colonels were Taylor and Batiste, with 12 each; Trey Walker, 9; Jay Stephens, 8; Ian Clay 7; Elijah Windom, 3; Tony Mitchell, 3; and Jozelle Payne, 2.
Collin McKay led the Golden Lions with 10 points.
The victory improves Cass' overall record to 7-3 while it drops the Golden Lions' record to 0-8.
The Colonels next play on Monday at 1:30 p.m. against West Forsyth in the Pickens County Holiday Classic in Jasper. That festival concludes Wednesday.
St. Pius 49, Lady Colonels 33
In other Longhorn Classic tournament action, the Cass Lady Colonels fell to St. Pius X 49-33.
The loss drops the Lady Colonels' record to 2-8 while St. Pius improves to 7-3. Cass next plays Tuesday, when it hosts Trion.