College Park Falls to Cy Woods at Home

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The College Park Cavaliers proved two things during their season-opening basketball game Tuesday night.

One, they should still be the favorites to win the District 14-5A title.

And two, they are still not ready to be called one of the best teams in the Houston area.

The Cavs, after grabbing a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, watched Cy Woods go on a 16-3 run to end the first half, and then coast to a 61-51 non-district victory at College Park High School.

Cy Woods, which won the District 15-5A title and advanced to the third round of the Region II-5A playoffs a year ago, is ranked No. 6 in the Houston area.

College Park is picked to win its third straight district title, but just like in the past, when it plays elite teams from outside of District 14-5A, it usually struggles.

“I thought we came out a little timid,’’ said Cy Woods head coach Chris Draudt, who guided his club to a 33-5 record a year ago. “It was our first game.

“But, that being said, College Park has a good group,’’ he added. “They have some tough young kids who are very aggressive. They had us back on our heels to start the game.’’

College Park’s pressure defense and 3-point shooting allowed the Cavaliers to jump out to a quick 12-5 lead.

But Cy Woods point guard Andre Adams, who would carve up the Cavs’ defense all night long, started to work his magic, and Cy Woods climbed back into the game.

Adams, who is only 5-5, finished the game with 12 points and a handful of assists. He also guarded College Park sophomore point guard Evan Cooper like a blanket for most of the night.

“We have four kids who have been on the varsity for three years now,’’ Draudt said. “They don’t get rattled very easily -- especially with Andre at point guard. It is really nice to have him on our side.’’

Post players DeMarco Richardson and Carter Nash also combined for 27 points as Cy Woods pounded the Cavs on the boards despite the presence of College Park’s 6-foot-10 center Sam Ryan.

“DeMarco is a very talented kid,’’ Draudt said. “And Carter is very intelligent. He does so many things well for us. He is a talented kid.’’

Cy Woods’ only drawback is that it doesn’t have much of a bench. Draudt played only seven players and left 6-8 center Jake Fritsch on the bench the entire game.

College Park, meanwhile, rotated all 13 players in and out of the game. In the second quarter, it might have cost the Cavs as Cypress Woods went on its run with most of the College Park’s second unit in the game.

“I think they had some kids in foul trouble they were trying to protect,’’ Draudt said. “We took advantage of it and were able to make a run.’’

Adam Rowe, who is a three-year starter, was able to slash to the basket with either hand as he led College Park with 13 points.

Cooper, who transferred from John Cooper School, also had 12 points and Mitchell Mactier chipped in 10.

College Park has gone to a new offense this year where it penetrates and kicks the ball to the open 3-point shooters. The Cavs did manage to knock down eight 3-pointers.

Cypress Woods, on the other hand, hit only 2-of-17 from 3-point land.

“Right now, we are not shooting the three as well as we did last year,’’ Draudt said. “But I think a lot of that had to do with their defense. I still think we can be a good 3-point shooting team.’’

College Park (0-1) next will take on state-ranked DeSoto and Hightower in the first two games of the McDonald’s Invitational tournament on Thursday and Friday in Pasadena.