By Brittain Kelly
The Copper Mountain College men’s Fighting Cacti basketball team split the 2019-20 season opener tournament 1-1 over the weekend.
The seven-plus hour drive up to Northern California proved to be worth the ride for CMC. After somewhat of a shaky start, Copper Mountain got rid of the first game jitters and held a two-point lead at the half 43-41. It was the stellar play of sophomore standout Dilon Voyles who had a team-high 20 points on the night that helped CMC pull away to the double digit victory.
Redshirt freshman AJay Woods played an all around impressive game in his official college debut, netting 18 points and made crucial free throws in the second half.
Sophomore forward Hyking Brisbon joined the party as well, providing the Cacti with his first double double of the season, scoring 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Rounding off the top performers from game one is sophomore forward Zack Kroker who chipped in 12 points. Copper Mountain went on to win the season opener 89-78 over the host, Folsom Lake College Falcons.
On Saturday, Copper Mountain men’s basketball team took on Cosumnes River College out of Sacramento in their second match up of the season. Things seemed to be picking up where they left off the first game for the Cacti. In the first half, CMC caught fire from long range and seemed to be running away with the game early. Redshirt freshman Tray Jackson threw four three-pointers in a row and help give the Fighting Cacti a solid halftime lead 47-35.
But it was a “tale of two halfs” for the Morongo Basin college team. Copper Mountain came out flat in the second half and surrendered its 12-point halftime lead. The Cacti were outscored by 18 points in the second half; a dismal free-throw shooting night also hurt CMC as they went on to lose a close game 87-84.
Dilon Voyles led CMC in scoring with 23 points. Tray Jackson (in only his second college game) netted 19 points and sophomore guard Will Valsien chipped in 15 points.
The Fighting Cacti are 1-1 on the season so far, and have several days off to prepare before taking on West LA college in the San Bernardino Valley College tournament November 15. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. at San Bernardino Valley College.
