Boys’ varsity basketball team falls to Cordova 59-57

After the JV win in overtime, the student section was excited for the Jan. 31 “alter ego” X-Factor varsity basketball game against Cordova.

Cordova got the tip off, two layups and a free throw making the game 5-0 Cordova. #23 shot a two pointer getting the wildcats on to the board. #24 Josh Gallofin shot a two pointer, Cordova lead 13-4 with three minutes left on the clock. #20 shot a layup, which Cordova responded with another two-pointer, making the score 17-7 Cordova. At the end of the first quarter, Whitney was down 22-10.

The Wildcats started the second quarter with a layup and Cordova responded with a three-pointer. #32 Kyle Creighton made a layup. In response, Cordova’s #40 Stephen Echols’ shot a two pointer followed up a layup by #20 Collin Hawkins. #23 Josh Jackson shot two, making one free throw. Hawkins shot a layup. The second quarter ended 34-27 with Cordova leading.

The halftime cheer routine included flips and stunts. After they performed, the dance team got prepared to dance but stood waiting for two minutes as the sound technicians tried to find the dance team’s song.

In the second half, Gallofin made one of two free throws. Cordova shot a three-pointer which #10 Cameron Ripple responded with layup.  Cordova’s #20 pushed back and shot a two pointer and shortly after Cordova shot another two-pointer. #3 James Kling shot a three pointer, with 2:54 on the clock Cordova led 48-38. #21 Daniel Jones followed up with another three pointer for Whitney. Hawkins made a layup and with 52.4 seconds on the clock Cordova took the lead 47-43. Ripple got a foul, shot two, made one, and right after was fouled again, making one of two. The third quarter ended 49-45 Cordova in the lead.

Ripple made a two pointer and with some work from the team makes a tie with Cordova 49-49. The referee called a technical foul called on the other team for having too many fouls. Ripple shot two and made one and the other shooter, Jackson, missed both. Gallofin made a two pointer. Ripple shots two free throws and missed one with 1:26 Cordova remains in the lead 58-53. Hawkins got fouled by Cordova and made one free throw and immediately after the ball was passed in Cordova’s #41 Nathaniel Hendrix got fouled and made one free throw. Whitney pushed to try to get that last two or three pointer but lost 59-57.

Crowd member Suzie Katz was disappointed at the loss.

“They all played extremely well against Cordova [besides having the loss]. I feel like the X-Factor is so supportive in cheering on our teams for any sport,” Katz said.

Coach Nick French commented on how his team played.

“I’m proud of our effort and I’m proud of the guys and how they kept pushing we were down 8 and came back in the last quarter [to end with a] with two-point loss,” French said.

Ripple felt he did okay at the game.

“I had too many turnovers. We came out soft in the first quarter and bounced back [later on] we ended up tying and got a loss,” Ripple said.

French though the crowd’s enthusiasm was great.

He said, “I really want to thank crowd and student body and their support and I hope they come out and support us again on our game Wednesday against Antelope.”