Cousino Triumphs Over Ford, Secures MAC Blue Division Title

Warren Cousino clinched the outright title of the Macomb Area Conference (MAC) Blue Division with a decisive 72-62 victory over Utica Ford II on February 13, 2026. The Patriots entered the game with a narrow lead in the standings, and despite a late rally from the Falcons, Cousino’s performance at the free-throw line secured their championship.

Cousino built an impressive 16-point lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Ford responded fiercely, narrowing the gap to just four points with 1:14 remaining in the game. The Patriots, demonstrating composure under pressure, converted 8-of-12 free throws in the final minute, sealing their victory.

“This was huge,” said Joe Kohl, head coach of Cousino. “This was a great environment going into districts. I’m really glad we got this win on the road.” The Falcons, who attempted significantly more free throws than the Patriots, managed 18-of-31 compared to Cousino’s 17-of-23.

Cousino’s ability to control the offensive rebounds was evident in the first half, although they led by only two points at halftime, 31-29. The Falcons capitalized on the free-throw opportunities, hitting 8-of-14 while Cousino did not attempt a single free throw during that period.

“We wanted to win that league championship, but at the end of the day they do work hard,” remarked George Woods, coach of Ford. His team’s determination shone through as they fought to maintain their standing in the league.

In the third quarter, Cousino established dominance by outscoring Ford 24-12. Key contributions came from Nicholas Farr, who scored 10 points, and Jeremiah Saunders, who added seven. By the early moments of the fourth quarter, a layup by Robert Wesley extended the Patriots’ lead to 63-45.

As the game progressed, Ford mounted a spirited comeback, launching a 15-1 run that culminated in a layup by Eli Harris, bringing the score to 64-60 with just over a minute left. “We have seniors who really care about winning,” Woods noted, highlighting the leadership of his team. However, the loss of senior forward Nick Pagel, who fouled out with under a minute to play, proved detrimental to Ford’s chances.

Cousino’s ability to hit critical free throws in the final moments, with five different players contributing, ultimately secured their championship title. “I can never be too chill with this group,” Kohl acknowledged, reflecting on the pressure of the match. “We can turn it on quick, but we have to get used to taking a punch and battling.”

Leading the Patriots in scoring was Cade, who finished with 18 points. Kohl praised his contributions, stating, “He is a defensive nightmare for teams. He does everything for us.” Wesley and Farr followed with 17 and 16 points, respectively, while Saunders added an important 11 points to the team’s total. This victory improved Cousino’s overall record to 15-6, maintaining a perfect 10-0 in the league.

For Ford, Pagel led the scoring with 19 points, while Jamie Thomas and Mostafa Faour contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. Despite the loss, the Falcons finished the season with a commendable record of 11-9 and secured second place in the league standings.

“My kids like each other and work for each other,” Woods reflected on his first season with Ford. “This is half the battle.” The rivalry between these teams promises to continue, with both sides showing significant potential as they advance towards the district playoffs.