Colt boys hoping for best in revamped region
All eyes will be on West Jordan when the high school boys basketball season gets under way, but Cottonwood hopes to fly low enough under the radar to secure a playoff berth.
The Colts, who failed to reach the postseason last year, lost their top two scorers to graduation, but Parker Swope and Zach Watts are expected to return. The pair averaged seven points apiece last season, as Cottonwood finished 9-12 overall and 4-8 in Region 2 (fifth place). Three others each averaged four points per game, but the Colts lost the bulk of their inside game to graduation.
Parker Vassau (12 points per game) and Vladimir Malugin (11) have each graduated, along with inside players Daniel Kristensen and Danny Schwartz. Malugin was a first-team All-Region honoree, while Vassau made the second team. Swope, who made the All-Region third team, is expected to team with Watts and fellow returnee Hunter Hanks as Cottonwood’s top scoring options.
Cottonwood started hot last year, winning three of its first four games, but wasn’t able to put together any other winning streak the remainder of the season. The Colts lost five games by 10 points or loss, including a pair to Murray, which shared the region championship with West. Cottonwood played most of its games close, averaging 54 points per game and allowing 58.
The new season offers a fresh perspective for the Colts, who moved to Region 3. Cottonwood will now contend with West Jordan, Alta, Brighton, Copper Hills and Jordan in region action. West Jordan is considered a favorite to win the state championship, with University of Utah recruit Jordan Loveridge teaming with Jordan Pryor and Skyline transfer Jaden Jackson. Loveridge averaged 24 points per game last season for the Jaguars, who shared the Region 3 title with Bingham.
Brighton, which graduated its top two players, lost in the quarterfinals last season and finished 15-8. Alta and Copper Hills each went 11-12, Jordan was 6-15 and West Jordan was 19-4, also losing in the quarterfinals to eventual 5A state champion Lone Peak.
The Colts were scheduled to open the season Nov. 29 against Olympus.
