Basketball Recap: Sale Creek Takes a Loss

It was a proper cat-fight when Sale Creek took on Copper Basin on Friday. The Sale Creek Panthers fell to the Copper Basin Cougars 47-43. That's two games in a row now that the Panthers have lost by exactly four points.

Despite the loss, Sale Creek still got an impressive performance from Trinity Smith, who went 6 of 14 en route to 18 points and eight boards. That's the most points Smith has posted since back in February of 2024. Another player making a difference was Madilynn Ellis, who posted seven points along with six assists and five steals.

Even though they lost, Sale Creek smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in four consecutive games.

It was another big night for Alexis Hyatt, who went 8 for 14 on her way to 18 points and five steals for Copper Basin. Kloie Ballew was another key player, putting up ten points and seven rebounds.

Sale Creek's defeat was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 3-1 and their overall record down to 12-8. As for Copper Basin, their victory bumped their record up to 7-8.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Sale Creek will square off against Bledsoe County at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. The timing is sure in Sale Creek's favor as the team sits on three straight wins at home while Bledsoe County has been banged up by five consecutive losses on the road. As for Copper Basin, they will take on Robbinsville at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Copper Basin is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 54 points per game this season.