It wasn’t long ago that Jefferson had a 5-4 overall record, but then the Cougars faced the meat of their schedule.

Consecutive losses to Martinsburg, Musselman and a 60-33 defeat administered by Idea High brought the overall record to 5-7.

The losing ways weren’t finished because Hedgesville inflicted a 56-43 loss on the Cougars, despite 14 points from Michael Bratton. Bratton was the only Jefferson player reaching double figures in the fourth straight loss.

Arch rival Washington gave the Cougars a fifth straight loss when it stopped them, 54-48, even though Bratton had 24 of Jefferson’s 48 points.

Washington trailed going to the fourth quarter, but outscored the Cougars, 21-12, in the last period to win the game between the two county high schools.

Jefferson stood at 5-9 overall and had to withstand the postponement of several weather-disrupted games, including a date at North Hagerstown scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Washington High was at 1-8 in its games through Jan. 8.

The Patriots had defeated Legacy Christian Academy (Virginia) for the team’s lone win.

After losing, 51-41, to Spring Mills, the Patriots achieved a second win when they beat Mountain View Academy of Winchester.

Washington took its 2-9 record against Jefferson and forcefully rallied through the fourth quarter to defeat the Cougars, 54-48.

Weather and postponements visited the Patriot schedule and kept their overall record at 3-9 pending the resumption of the January/February portion of the schedule.