The Copper Basin Lady Cougars kicked off the 2019-2020 basketball season with a trip to Nantahala Tuesday, November 19, to take on the Lady Hawks.
Copper Basin shined on offense and defense to start the season with 82-18 victory. Hailey Brackett led all scores with 21 points.
The Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Hawks 17-8 in the first quarter as Riley Smith led the way with six points coming off of two, two-point baskets and two free throws.
Laney Jory and Brackett scored four each in the first quarter, with Skyler Nipper netting a two-point basket and a free throw.
The Lady Cougars exploded in the second for 33 points, led by Brackett. Brackett caught fire in the paint, scoring six two-point baskets and a free throw. Senior Emily Hemming scored six points off of three, two-point baskets and Raegan Higdon tacked on six points on two, two-point buckets and two free throws.
Gracie Smith had four points in the second on two, two-point baskets and Jory scored a two-point bucket. The Lady Cougars played stout defense as well, holding Nantahala to four total points in the second to lead the Lady Hawks 50-12 at the half.
Copper Basin continued their hot hand in the third, as Hemming heated up and scored five points off of a three ball and a two-point bucket.
Brackett continued her hot hand with two, two-point baskets down low and Jory netted a three pointer.
Higdon scored a two-point basket down low to cap the Lady Cougar scoring in the third as Copper Basin took a 64-16 lead over the Lady Hawks.
The Lady Cougars finished the night with an 18-point fourth quarter led by Riley Smith, who had six points on three, two-point baskets. Nipper made two, two-point buckets in the paint, while Hemming scored a two-point basket and two free throws. Jory and Gracie Smith rounded out the Cougars scoring with a two-point bucket each as the Lady Cougars topped the Lady Hawks 82-18, to start the season 1-0.
CB 17 33 14 18 - 82
NH 08 04 04 02 - 18
Lady Cougars summary:
Points: Brackett 21, Hemming 15, R. Smith 14, Jory 11, Higdon 8, Nipper 7, G. Smith 6.
Free throws: Higdon 2-2, R. Smith 2-2, Nipper 1-1, Hemming 2-3, Brackett 1-2.