WHITE SWAN - For the second time this year, the Warden Cougars took a perennial Class 2B power down to the wire to only fall short.

But if their 56-53 loss at White Swan on Saturday is any indication of what's to come, it may not be unrealistic to expect a late playoff surge for the Cougars (5-11, 3-5).

Warden trailed 48-37 going into the final quarter before pushing forward to rally and get within a shot of tying the ballgame.

Garritt Marks led Warden with 20 points, Victor Flores added 15 points, and Trent Bates added 12 points.

"We played a great game and Garritt and Victor led the way," Warden head coach Wes Richins said. "Ty Jesse also stepped up defensively to help contain one of the state's best scorers."

Nathaniel Fiander led White Swan with 15 points.

On Friday, Warden pulled out a 60-38 road win against Waterville.

The Cougars built a 28-12 halftime lead and made the rest of the game a routine exercise in holding off a late rally.

Marks scored 14 points and Flores added 11 points to lead Warden.