By John Spargo
The Copper Basin Lady Cougars looked to wrap up another District 5 Class A Tournament title Friday, February 17, as they took on Sale Creek at Copper Basin High School. The game stayed close for all four quarters, but the Lady Panthers pulled away late to upset Copper Basin 33-30.
Both teams found it tough to score in the opening period, battling to a 9-9 tie after one quarter of play. Alexis Hyatt hit a three-pointer and Spapporiah Ross knocked down two free throws to keep the Lady Cougars even with Sale Creek. Zoe Green and Brilee Harris each scored two points each as the two teams headed to the second quarter all knotted up at nine.
All of Copper Basin’s scoring in the second period of the game was done by two players. Cora Kimsey led the Lady Cougars with six points, as she made three two-point buckets and Harris scored two points. Copper Basin’s defense tightened up in the quarter as well, holding the Lady Panthers to only five points, taking a 17-14 lead at halftime.
The game took on a different tone in the third quarter, however, as Sale Creek outscored Copper Basin 12-6 to grab the lead for the first time. Harris, Ross, and Hyatt scored two points each for the Lady Cougars, giving Sale Creek a chance to take the lead.
As the teams headed to the final quarter, the Lady Panthers had taken the lead by a score of 26-23.
Looking to regain the lead down the stretch, Copper Basin got three free throws from Harris and two more from Riley Hall.
Hyatt knocked down a field goal, but that was the only shot the Lady Cougars made from the floor in the fourth quarter, giving Sale Creek a 33-30 upset win over Copper Basin.
Scoring Summary:
1 2 3 4 - Final
SCHS 9 5 12 7 - 33
CBHS 9 8 6 7 - 30
Lady Cougars Scoring:
Harris 9, Hyatt 7, Kimsey 6, Ross 4, Green 2, Hall 2.