The Copper Basin Lady Cougars looked to cap off their great 2023-2024 season, as they hosted Sale Creek for the District 5-A Tournament Championship Tuesday, February 20 at Copper Basin High School. The Lady Cougars, behind Kloie Ballew’s 14 points, and Alexis Hyatt’s 12 points, took control of the ballgame early and never looked back, defeating the Lady Panthers 49-40.
Hyatt came out firing, scoring five points in the first quarter, including a three-pointer, while Ballew sank two free throws. Point guard Kendra Deal also scored two points for Basin, as did Zoe Green and Cora Kimsey. Sale Creek scored only six points in the opening quarter and trailed the Lady Cougars 13-6 headed to the second quarter.
Ballew scored four points in the second period and Hyatt drilled another three-ball, while Kimsey scored six more points, as the Lady Cougar lead grew to 24-8 headed into the locker room at halftime.
Deal led the way in the third quarter, scoring four more points and Kimsey knocked won two free throws for Copper Basin. Hyatt and Riley Hall scored two points each as the Lady Cougars maintained their huge lead headed to the fourth quarter, leading 34-19.
The Lady Panthers came out and tried to put pressure on the Lady Cougars, scoring 21 points in the fourth period, but Ballew scored eight points, including hitting four free throws, and Deal calmly sank two more. Hyatt made another bucket and Green added two more free throws, keeping Sale Creek from getting any closer. Kimsey added another free throw as the Lady Cougars handled everything Sale Creek threw at them, and walked away with the District 5-A Tournament Championship, winning by a score of 49-40.
Head Basketball Coach Jeff Grimes was extremely proud of his team, and talked about how they have worked for everything they have gotten this year. “Very, very proud of what these young ladies accomplished and they did it as they have been these last 3 weeks which is as a tight knit group. They made it their goal from the beginning and were able to make it a reality. I’m also very happy with the pride it brought to our community and school. These girls aren’t done yet, still more to do!”
Scoring Summary:
1 2 3 4 -Final
SCHS 6 2 11 21 - 40
CBHS 13 11 10 15 -49
Lady Cougar Scoring: Ballew 14, Hyatt 12, Kimsey 9, Deal 8, Green 4, Hall 2.