By Britain Kelly
Copper Mountain Men’s basketball team has a fighting chance for a playoff berth. Wednesday night the Fighting Cacti took on the Coyotes of Cerro Coso College, winning 69-53.
This season, Copper Mountain College men’s basketball team has had their fair share of ups and downs. Heading into this last stretch of the regular season, the Fighting Cacti has had zero room for error. Holding on to a fighting chance for a playoff berth, CMC responded nicely to the pressure. Wednesday night the Fighting Cacti took on the Coyotes of Cerro Coso College. With a win, that made three in a row for Copper Mountain and kept their playoff hopes alive.
Cerro Coso, which is also in the same playoff hunt, understood the stakes of Wednesday’s game, and did not allow it to be an easy outing for the Cacti. In the first half, both teams battled, exchanging the lead several times. Going into halftime, CMC had a slim advantage 30-28.
Great team defense and execution were the key for CMC in the second half as they gained a double-digit lead and never looked back. Copper Mountain College won, 69-53. Sophomore Will Valsien made tough plays all night as he led the Cacti in scoring with 15 points. Zack Kroker had another very solid game with 13 points and nine rebounds for CMC, and Hyking Brisbon had his usual double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Friday will be the regular season finale for the Cacti as they look to finish strong. CMC will host Barstow College on what will be Sophomore Night, a game in which Copper Mountain honors its graduating sophomores.
Let’s Pack the Bell center and show some Morongo Basin Pride!!! Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
