Niwot stumbles in first week of conference play

The Niwot boys basketball fell to 7-5 on the year after a promising start to the week ended in back-to-back blowout losses at the hands of conference foes Thompson Valley and Longmont.

On Jan. 8, the Cougars opened Northern League play with a 66-50 win over Northridge, extending their winning streak to four games. Senior Tommy Bounds had a season-high 21 points on the night, while senior Dom Luthens was had 16 rebounds.

The Cougars were uncharacteristically flat the next night, and struggled both offensively and defensively against Thompson Valley. The Eagles outscored Niwot 32-12 in the first half, and the Cougars never recovered.

“I definitely don’t think we were mentally ready to go, and that translated probably on the effort side a bit,” Niwot head coach Eric Hejl said after the 61-37 loss. “We got back on our heels and dug a hole that was tough to come out of.”

That was largely the case for Niwot again two nights later against 2nd-ranked Longmont at home. The Cougars struggled to keep up with the defending state champs, and found themselves down by 20 at halftime for the second straight game. Unfortunately, frustration seemed to get the better of both Niwot coaches and players in the second half, and the Cougars went on to lose 63-32.

Up next for Niwot is Greeley Central at home on Jan. 15, followed by road trip to Silver Creek on Jan. 18.