Copper Mountain Men’s basketball team traveled down to the Imperial Valley to compete in IVC’s annual holiday tournament. Saturday, Copper Mountain took on LA Harbor College, wining 71-56. Sunday, the Cacti took on Pasadena City College for their second contest of the weekend. Copper Mountain won 64-61.
By Britain Kelley
Copper Mountain College men’s basketball team finished off the decade by getting back to their winning ways, despite having one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the entire state. CMC traveled down to the Imperial Valley to compete in Imperial Valley College’s annual holiday tournament, and defeated Los Angeles Harbor College Saturday and Pasadena City College Sunday.
Saturday’s game against LA Harbor College was a hard-fought game through the first 20 minutes. CMC held a slim lead 29-25 at the half. Stellar play from sophomores Hyking Brisbon and Zack Kroker helped the Fighting Cacti pull away in the second half and go on to win 71-56.
Hyking Brisbon finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Zack Kroker also added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Tyler Hudson played a tough game with 15 points and seven assists. Sophomore Marc Hall finished off the high scorers for CMC, scoring 12.
On Sunday, the Cacti had a chance to make it back-to-back wins as they took on Pasadena City College for their second contest of the weekend.
The way CMC started the game it was obvious the team was determined to give Associate Head Coach Britain Kelly a happy birthday gift by winning. Copper Mountain jumped out to a early lead with a great collective team effort. The Cacti went into the locker room ahead 33-26.
In the second half, consecutive big time three-pointers from sophomore Schnider Casseus, followed by a three-pointer plus the foul from Dillon Voyles, gave CMC the spark and momentum it needed to close out the game with a victory, 64-61.
The game was another great team win that extended the Fighting Cacti’s streak to two in a row. Will Valsien finished with 11 points. Zack Kroker contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, playing big for the Cacti. Dillon Voyles rounded things off with 10 points.
