All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Tournament Photo All seven high schools gathered for a photo in between games.
During the break between games players and partners kicked it up and danced together.
The Cougar unified basketball team took part in an exciting end-of-season tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Skyline High School. Teams from Erie, Silver Creek, Mead, Longmont, Skyline, Frederick, and Niwot high schools came together for a morning of basketball and community.
Niwot's first game of the day was against the Mead Mavericks. Junior Jack Frailey, sophomore Dallin Easton, and sophomore Te Esquibel-Davis all contributed to giving the Cougars an early 16-12 lead.
Freshman Sawyer Gall showcased his agility, evading Mead's defenders and adding to Niwot's score. Junior Emmett Vertuca impressed the court and crowd with skillful moves to navigate past defenders before sophomore Taylor Teigen brought the score to 20-14.
Niwot maintained the offensive momentum, with Gall, Easton, and senior Jake Hostelley continuing to make key plays. At halftime, the Cougars led 28-24.
Freshman Isaiah Richart opened the second half with a basket, followed by Frailey to keep the Cougars ahead 32-28. Esquibel-Davis scored before Richart nailed a deep three-pointer, electrifying the crowd and pushing the score to 37-32.
With contributions from Vertuca, Teigen, Easton, and junior Ethan Withnell, Niwot maintained its lead. Richart continued his stellar shooting, sinking another three-pointer to extend the lead to 52-46. The Cougars were unstoppable, securing their first tournament win by a 58-52 score.
Between games, Skyline High's dance team performed, and all the unified teams and their helpers joined together to dance to "Wobble" by V.I.C., fostering the joyful atmosphere that defines unified basketball.
In the second game, Niwot faced the Erie Tigers. Richart set the tone by winning the tipoff and scoring the first basket. Teigen, Easton, Withnell, and Frailey all helped the Cougars maintain control. By halftime, Niwot led 29-24.
Erie fought back in the second half, but Frailey, Vertuca, and Hostelley scored crucial points to keep the Cougars ahead. With 7:50 left, the Tigers closed the gap to 43-42. Esquibel-Davis and Gall responded with key baskets, but the game was tied at 50-50 with five minutes to go.
From there, Niwot surged ahead. Esquibel-Davis, Easton, and Richart scored, giving the Cougars a 56-50 lead. Teigen and Easton sealed the victory with final baskets, and Niwot secured their second win of the day with a 62-54 final score.
Coach Dawn Zwisler expressed her pride in the team's unity and cooperation saying, "My favorite part of this season has been watching the team come together. Seeing the partners connect with the players has been special."
For freshman standout Richart, the best part of this basketball season was "hanging out with friends."
With two big wins, the Cougars capped off their season in style, creating lasting memories and celebrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and the friendships they have built over the last couple of months.
Reader Comments(0)