Cascade loses in OT in 2A consolation

DES MOINES - Not the way the Cascade Cougars wanted it to end, but they went out slugging. At least there's that.   "We fought hard, and I couldn't be happier that we were here," said Cascade's Haris Takes, after his team's 53-49 overtime loss to Treynor in the Class 2A state basketball tournament consolation game Friday afternoon. "Obviously it would have been a better ending to get third place or be in the championship game, but it didn't happen."   Cascade (22-5) had a three-point lead down the stretch but couldn't hold it. Treynor (25-2) got a game-tying steal and hoop from Nick Paulsen with 42 seconds left, with the teams then exchanging turnovers to send it to an extra four minutes.   The Cardinals got the first four points of OT and never trailed.   "It was a good game for a consolation game, between two good clubs," said Cascade Coach Al Marshall, who remained stuck on 694 career victories.   Takes finished a terrific senior season with a game-high 23 points, with Mitch Recker adding 12. Treynor placed three guys in double figures, with Jacob Flathers leading the way with 14.   Leading scorer Takes and point guard Mitchell Oberbroeckling graduate, but three starters return for Cascade, including promising 6-foot-6 center Devin Green. It would be Marshall's 46th season if he decides not to retire.   "I'm really proud of this group," he said. "That's what they do. They fight, they're tenacious. They just like to play basketball, and they play as hard as they can until there are three zeroes up there on the clock."   Here is the game boxscore:

Cascade by Jeff Johnson