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Cottonwood boys basketball finishes a tough January with a crucial win

Feb 21, 2019 01:50PM ● By Brian Shaw

Senior Donovan Cooper shoots a free throw during a region game. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

By Brian Shaw | [email protected] 

Going into region play in January, much was expected of this Cottonwood Colts boys basketball team according to those who know them well. 

But as many can attest who have been down this lonely road better known as Region 7, littered with the likes of Corner Canyon, Jordan and Timpview (just to name a few), many have come to a fork in the road, not knowing which way to go. 

Such has been the journey for Cottonwood, who went into region play this January having won seven of its 13 preseason games. 

Since that point though, it's been all downhill as the Colts won just one region game in January and two in February. The January game, a home tilt to Brighton on Jan. 29, ended up 75-63 in Cottonwood's favor as it led from start to finish to wrap up the month at 1-5 overall in region play. 

While the Colts still had a mathematical chance at securing a postseason berth, they needed some help that ultimately never came. 

Cottonwood opened January losing 64-56 to Alta on Jan. 11—a game that would sorely have helped the Colts now since Alta took the final playoff berth at 4-6 overall in the region. 

The Colts then lost to Jordan 61-50, allowing the host Beetdiggers to blow open a close game in the second quarter after succumbing to a 20-5 run to go into the half trailing by 17. 

On Jan. 22, Cottonwood then lost by 21 points at Corner Canyon, 69-48, in a game that the Colts trailed from wire to wire. 

Prior to the big win over Brighton that kept the Colts slim playoff hopes alive, Cottonwood lost at home to Timpview on Jan. 25. 

The Colts trailed by just five points at the half but could not close the gap any further as Timpview cruised to the victory. 

Cottonwood (3-7) finished just one game behind Alta for the fourth and final playoff spot. 

The Colts ended their season on a high note winning two of their final three games, including a senior night victory over Corner Canyon 69-65. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, Cottonwood’s season finale ended with a thrilling 52-49 win over the Bengals, knocking them off for the second time this season.