Colts’ best offense is a good defense

Most high school basketball teams that average 38 points per game don’t win many games -- unless they have a stout defense to back them up.

While the points haven’t come in bunches for Cottonwood High’s girls this season, the Colts’ defense has ranked among the state leaders during their 5-6 start (1-1 Region 3). As of our press deadline, Cottonwood was averaging 38 points per game (only Northridge and West averaged less), but was allowing only 40 (only Layton and Riverton allowed less).

Tina Hosea and Kari Uncles are each enjoying solid seasons, averaging more than 10 points per game apiece, but Cottonwood has struggled to find a consistent third scorer. After Hosea (13 points per game) and Uncles (12), freshman Andrea Brady is the next top scorer at just four points. Brianna Jorgensen is the only other Colt player averaging more than a single point per game.

Uncles and Hosea have led the Colts in scoring every game this season. Other than those two, however, Cottonwood is averaging just 13 points per game.

After starting the season 2-2, Cottonwood has gone 3-4 over the last month. The Colts defeated Hillcrest (42-36), Murray (50-18) and West Jordan (57-47), and lost to Taylorsville (55-23), Northridge (31-28), Olympus (48-35) and Copper Hills (53-36). Cottonwood was scheduled to resume region play Jan. 17 against visiting Brighton and Jan. 19 at Jordan.

Hosea scored eight points and Brady and Fifi Hosea had five apiece in the loss to Taylorsville. Uncles and Tina Hosea each tallied 16 points in the win over Hillcrest, while Hosea led a balanced scoring effort against Murray with 24 points. Uncles added 10 points, Kara Sofele six and Sydney Davis four, as the Colts had little trouble with their crosstown rivals.

Hosea netted 11 points and Brady and Uncles each had seven points in the loss to Northridge. Hosea scored 12 points in the loss to Olympus, while Uncles added seven points, Jorgensen six and Christina Schwartz four. Hosea had 19 points and Uncles five against Copper Hills.

Cottonwood experimented with Uncles against West Jordan, bringing her off the bench. The strategy worked, as Uncles pumped in 24 points while Hosea added 15 points and Brady 10. Nichole Kristensen and Mele Wolfgram each added four points for the Colts.

Uncles and Hosea have each improved their scoring this season. Hosea averaged seven points per game last year, while Uncles averaged two points in limited action. Cottonwood went 15-6 last season, advancing to the 5A quarterfinals before losing to eventual state runner-up Syracuse.