Boys Basketball: Cougars Celebrate Senior Night

The Oakton boys basketball team faced a tough opponent in Westfield, undefeated in Concorde District play, for its final game of the regular season Friday.

The game started with a celebration of the team's six seniors: Connor Browning, Michael Durst, Eric Goins, Conner Howell, Alex Lucas and Patrick Sofo.

But the celebration soon ended, as the Bulldogs took a 5-0 lead as the foundation for its 72-42 victory.

Despite the loss, the Cougars could still be happy for the seniors after all but one scored points. Sofo, a senior and captain, led the Cougar scoring for the first time all season with 12 points.

Sofo said he will look back fondly on his years in the basketball program regardless of a difficult final season, in which the Cougars are going through a rebuilding period.

"[The seniors have] all been pretty close through the four years of being a part of the program. Conner Howell, the point guard who started the night, it's his first year and he's gotten along with everyone well," said Sofo, who has played on the varsity squad for two years. "We're all pretty good friends and we love playing basketball for [Coach David] Brooks."

The Cougars will travel to Centreville for a 7 p.m. tip-off Tuesday to compete in the first round of the Concorde District Tournament.

Sofo and his teammates are excited about the upcoming matchup, noting the Cougars were able to defeat the Wildcats just a few days ago in double overtime for their second victory against Concorde District opponents.

"We beat them at their home on Tuesday, so we think we can do it again," Sofo said. "After that we'd probably face Robinson, who we also almost beat at their home, so we feel good about our chances to get to the finals."