The Copper Basin Cougars faced off against the Sale Creek Panthers Friday, January 22, at Sale Creek. The Cougars battled for four quarters and were able to hold off the Panthers for a 48-41 region victory.
Both the Cougars and the Panthers played stellar defense in the first quarter, holding each other to five points. Radford Cheek and Timothy Jabaley netted a two-point basket each, while Logan Burkett fought his way to the free throw line, converting one free throw.
Sale Creek scored five points as well in the first to tie the game 5-5 heading into the second quarter. Copper Basin netted 10 points in the second quarter as Logan Burkett scored six points on two, two-point buckets and two free throws. Timothy Fair scored four points in the second on a two-point bucket and two free throws.
The Panthers scored nine points in the second as the Cougars led 15-14 at halftime.
The Cougars erupted for 17 points in the third quarter, led by Fair who had eight points on two, three-point buckets and a two-point basket. Cheek muscled in two, two-point buckets and a free throw, while Austin Collis and Burkett scored a two-point basket each. The Panthers tallied 11 points in the third as the Cougars extended their lead 32-25.
Copper Basin scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as Fair led the Cougars with nine points on a two-point basket and seven free throws. Jabaley knocked down a long-range three-point basket, while Cheek and Dawson Worthy scored a two-point basket each. The Panthers netted 16 points in the fourth as well, but the Cougars were able to hold off the Panthers and win 48-41.
CB 05 10 17 16 - 48
SC 05 09 11 16 - 41
Cougars summary:
Points: Fair 21, Cheek 9, Burkett 9, Jabaley 5, Worthy 2, Collis 2.
Free throws:Fair 9-12, Burkett 3-6, Cheek 1-2, Boggs 0-2.