Unified basketball fights to the finish

Niwot High School's unified basketball team traveled to face off against the Frederick High School Eagles on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Despite a determined effort by the Cougars, Frederick secured the win with a final score of 77-73.

The game began with freshman Isaiah Richart winning the tipoff for Niwot, setting the tone for an energetic contest. Freshman Sawyer Gall put the Cougars on the board first, but the Eagles responded quickly to tie the game.

Senior Jake Hostelley followed up with a basket for Niwot, momentarily giving them the lead before Frederick responded, keeping the game tied at 4-4.

As the first half progressed, both teams exchanged baskets in a back-and-forth battle. Richart and sophomore Taylor Teigen contributed to Niwot's scoring, but Frederick's offense kept the Eagles ahead, extending their lead to 22-14.

Junior Jack Frailey and Teigen helped keep the Cougars within striking distance, while Gall, sophomore Te Esquibel-Davis, and Richart all made crucial plays to close the gap. By halftime, Niwot trailed 41-35, keeping their hopes alive for a comeback.

The Cougars came out strong in the second half, determined to fight their way back into the game. Richart, Teigen, and Gall all found the basket early in the half, cutting Frederick's lead to just four points at 45-41.

Teigen and Frailey continued to attack the hoop, keeping the pressure on the Eagles' defense. Despite their efforts, Frederick maintained their lead, holding a 61-53 advantage as the game entered its final stretch.

Niwot refused to back down, as Gall, Teigen, and Hostelley added crucial points to keep the Cougars within reach. Easton and Esquibel-Davis contributed key baskets down the stretch, while Richart's final points brought Niwot within four. However, time ran out before the Cougars could complete their rally, and the Eagles walked away with the hard-fought 77-73 victory.

Although they fell short, Niwot's unified basketball team displayed resilience and sportsmanship, setting the stage for more competitive games ahead.

This brings the team to a 2-1 record. Their next game is Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Erie High School at 3 p.m., followed by a home matchup against Silver Creek High School on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 2:45 p.m.