The familiar calls of Crowley, Schrupp, and Forst ringing over the PA system at the Cotter gym are coming to a close.

As Michael Jordan once said. “Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.” Well for these three players that statement is now true.

On Valentine’s day, Friday, February 14. the trio played their final home game of their high school basketball careers.

In a ceremony prior to the start of the game senior guards Caleb Forst and Garrett Crowley, along with  forward Matt Schrupp were introduced by teammates Kyle Kerrigan, Henry Killen, and Josh Forst, Caleb’s younger brother.

All three seniors have played key roles for the Ramblers this season. Crowley leads the team in scoring,  Schrupp is the second leading scorer and the leading rebounder, and  Forst provides a spark off the bench with his aggressive play at both ends of the court.

Crowley  has been a fixture in the varsity  lineup for the last three seasons. While Schrupp, after gaining playing time as a junior, has become a team leader this year . Caleb Forst is playing his one and only season on the varsity squad do to his transferring to Cotter his as a junior.

 “It’s been a long journey with lots of memories. Last year getting to the Civic Center was very special. I’m thankful for all of my teammates and opportunities I was granted throughout my career, ” said Crowley.

Schrupp added. “I have been in basketball for a long time now, and I’m glad I get to end my career with the squad we have now.”

Forst had similar thoughts about the season: “This is year was my first year of Cotter varsity basketball and I’m glad I was able to end my senior year at a great school with a great group of guys. This season was filled with a lot of ups and downs for me personally, but I’m glad I stuck with it because in the end there’s no other team I’d rather play for. I wish this team the best of luck next year and many more years to come. Go Ramblers!”

Unfortunately for the seniors, the Ramblers fell to Southland 90-83 after having defeated them by double digits on the road earlier int the season. .

The team will look to Crowley, Schrupp, and Forst  to lead the team into Plainview for a first round road game against Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Thursday, February 20, in the section tournament.  Cotter has played P-EM tough twice this year, losing in overtime in their first matchup.

Replacing the seniors will be critical going into next year, as the seniors occupy three of the top eight players in the rotation. Next year’s team will have even more of a senior presence with nine juniors moving up from this year’s squad.