Nantahala lost against Copper Basin back in November of 2023, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Tuesday. The Nantahala Hawks fell to the Copper Basin Cougars 71-67. The loss was the Hawks' first of the season.
Nantahala's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Cole McCoy, who dropped a double-double on 28 points and ten rebounds. That was a full 41.8% of Nantahala's points, marking the third time in a row he's scored more than a third of the team's points. Another player making a difference was Hunter Bryant, who went 5 for 10 en route to 14 points plus eight rebounds.
Even though they lost, Nantahala smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 12 offensive rebounds in three consecutive matches.
Talon Smith had an outrageously good game for Copper Basin as he went 7 for 14 en route to 21 points plus five steals. Smith's evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Carder Lance, who had 14 points in addition to two steals.
Having lost for the first time this season, Nantahala fell to 2-1. As for Copper Basin, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 2-0.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Nantahala is on the road again on Tuesday to play Eastgate Life Academy at 6:00 p.m. As for Copper Basin, they will challenge Hiwassee Dam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
