By John Spargo
Copper Basin’s boys basketball looked to end the district tournament on a good note as they took on Lookout Valley Thursday, February 16 in Chattanooga. The Cougars got off to a great start in the first half and never trailed, outclassing the Yellow Jackets 66-35.
Copper Basin took an early lead, as four players scored two points in the opening quarter. Kelle Shroth, Reece Parris, and Connor Kimsey scored two-point buckets, while Carder Lance made two free throws, and Talon Smith knocked down a free throw of his own. The Yellow Jackets only mustered up five points in the quarter, and the Cougars were up 9-5 headed to the second quarter.
Copper Basin took control of the ballgame in the second period, outscoring Lookout Valley 20-7. Justus Hamby drilled two three-pointers and another two-point bucket to lead the Cougars’ offense. Riley Angel also scored seven points, making three two-point buckets and a free throw, as Basin began to pull away right before halftime. Shroth also knocked down a three-ball and Avery Crowder made a two-point bucket as the Cougars took a 29-12 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Shroth stayed in his zone, making two more three-pointers in the third quarter, and Hamby drained one of his own to keep Basin comfortably ahead. Kimsey scored four points in the quarter and Addison Hook scored five, making three free throws in addition to a two-point bucket. Crowder added two more points as the Cougars added to their lead, going into the fourth period, up 49-25.
Copper Basin’s balanced scoring kept going on into the fourth quarter, with six Cougars scoring. Kimsey and Angel had four points each, while Lance had three more. Smith, Hamby, and Parris scored two points apiece for the Cougars, as they pulled away and put a whipping on the Yellow Jackets by a score of 66-35.
Scoring Summary:
1 2 3 4 - Final
CBHS 9 20 20 17 - 66
LVHS 5 7 13 10 - 35
Cougars Scoring:
Hamby 13, Shroth 11, Angel 11, Kimsey 10, Hook 5,
Lance 5, Crowder 4, Parris 4, Smith 3.