For the second year in a row, the Copper Mountain College Fighting Cacti Men’s basketball team went undefeated in the Allan Hancock College Home Motors basketball tournament over the weekend. Friday night it was a win over Yuba College, 69-65. Saturday was a win over Victor Valley College, 98-91, and Sunday it was a decisive win over Napa Valley College 85-50. The Fighting Cacti has improved to 6-2 on the year.
Allen Hancock Round Robin Tournament
By Assistant Coach Britain Kelly
Friday, November 16
The opening game of the Allan Hancock round robin, Copper Mountain men’s basketball team extended its win streak to four in row, with a great win against a top NorCal team, Yuba college.
It was a hard-fought game throughout and both teams refused to go away. At the half, things where all tied up at 31 apiece. Big-time play from freshman wing Dillon Voyles contributed to the win for CMC. Voyles led all scorers with a game high 19 points. Heady defense and play making from freshman guard Tommy Geiger also played a huge part in Friday’s victory for the Fighting Cacti.
Sophomore point guard Anthony Rice had an all-around game with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Freshman Forward Zach Kroker also chipped in eight points and eight rebounds for Copper Mountain College.
Clutch free-throw shooting and securing the basketball down the stretch sealed the deal for CMC and they went on to win 69-65.
Saturday, November 17
It was another dog fight Saturday afternoon for the Fighting Cacti as they took on Victor Valley College in a rematch on day two of the Allan Hancock College tournament. After losing the second game of the season a couple of weeks ago to Victor Valley, CMC had revenge on their mind.
In the first half, Victor Valley shot the ball from three exceptionally well and jumped out on Copper Mountain, taking a eight-point lead into the half, 51-43.
After going back and forth the first 15 mins, resilience was the key for CMC in the second half, as they came back from down 10 point—with less than five minutes to go. Clutch plays within the last minute of regulation from Anthony Rice and Will Valsien knotted the game at 82 to force overtime.
In overtime, the Fighting Cacti took control and never let up. A baseline driving lay-up sealed the game 98-91 and capped off what was a monster game for freshman forward Zach Kroker (Rancho Mirage), who finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds.
Anthony Rice had 25 points and eight assists. Freshman guard Will Valsien has a great all-around game with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Freshman wing Dillon Voyles added 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
The win was the fifth in a row for Copper Mountain and they improved to 5-2 on the year.
Sunday, November 18
It was a perfect ending to a great weekend for Copper Mountain men’s basketball team. The Fighting Cacti went undefeated for the second year in a row at the Allan Hancock College Home Motors basketball tournament.
Sunday against Napa Valley College, CMC extended its win streak to six in a row. Copper Mountain jumped out to an early 15-to-2 lead to start the game and didn’t look back. Napa made a solid run and closed the deficit slightly going into halftime, but the Fighting Cacti maintained the lead 41-28.
Big-time play from sophomore big man Kenny Bates and lights out shooting from freshman wing Dillon Voyles helped CMC open up a big lead. Copper Mountain went on to win 85-50.
Kenny Bates led all CMC scorers with 18 points and also contributed nine rebounds and four blocks. Dillon Voyles finished with 17 and sophomore point guard Anthony Rice tallied another all-around game with 14 points, seven assists, and two steals.
The Fighting Cacti improved to 6-2 on the year. Following the Thanksgiving break, CMC will be back in action as they travel away to take on West Hills-Lemoore College Thursday, November 28, at 3 p.m.
