The Copper Basin Cougars took to the road Friday, January 5, to take on the Whitwell Tigers, as they looked to get some momentum going into the meat of their district schedule. Five of the Cougars next seven games are district games, so this would be a good test for Basin to get ready for the rest of January. Behind junior Carder Lance’s 16 points, the Cougars raced out to an early lead and never looked back, beating the Tigers 51-27 for a huge win on the road.
Lance came out firing in the first quarter, drilling two three-pointers and senior Avery Crowder scored four points as Basin took control of the game almost right from the tip-off. Senior Justus Hamby also scored a bucket for Basin as they led after the first quarter by the score of 12-5.
Copper Basin extended their lead in the second quarter as junior Talon Smith got hit, scoring six points and senior Reese Parris knocked down a three-point basket. Crowder hit two free throws and Hamby made a two-point bucket, leading the Cougars to a 25-8 lead at halftime.
The third period was more of the same, and Hamby was the one who found the range, hitting another three-ball to go along with two more buckets for seven points. Lance also went perfect at the free throw line, draining all four attempts and also hit another basket. Smith joined in on the three-point show, hitting one as the Cougars added to their already large lead, leading 41-16 going into the final quarter.
Lance and Crowder scored four points apiece in the period, and Parris made another shot, as the Cougars ran away from Whitwell down the stretch, winning a big game on the road, 51-27.
Cougar Head Coach Jeff Grimes was thrilled with his teams showing, and talked about the ever-growing chemistry of his team. “So happy for these young men, to have been close so many times and seemingly not able to catch a break, to break through and get a good win away from home. This team has come together tightly as a fist and never weakened. Hopefully this will breed confidence going forward.”
Scoring
Summary:
1 2 3 4 -Final
CBHS 12 13 16 10 -51
WHS 5 3 8 11 -27
Cougar Scoring:
Lance 16, Hamby 11, Crowder 10, Smith 9, Parris 5.