Last year, the Cottonwood Colts boys basketball team fell short of their objectives according to Marc Miller, the Colts head coach. 

But this year, the Colts are playing a difficult schedule to tune up for what they hope will be a fourth straight Region 10 title defense and even more, according to Cottonwood’s new athletic director that also played high school and college basketball and coached at both levels. 

“Love the chances of both teams to compete for another region championship, but Region 10 is going to be a tight race for both boys and girls,” said James MacIntyre, Cottonwood athletic director. 

First, the boys. With last year’s 3A state semifinalist Judge Memorial Catholic now in the fold in Class 4A Region 10 where the Colts are, Cottonwood now has a legitimate contender to their throne in the Bulldogs, a team that was 3A champions two years ago. 

But this is a Cottonwood squad that only lost three seniors to graduation. 

These Colts return two starters and were ranked the No. 2 team in 4A in the Deseret News preseason coaches’ poll. 

There is already a buzz building around the state about this Cottonwood team that brings back 6-foot-8 Luka Cecez, the Colts second leading scorer as a sophomore (11 points per game) who will be a junior this year. The other, Tengis Bayasgalan, is a senior who was one of the Colts’ top playmakers (8 points per game, 2 assists) and was the team’s top three-point shooter, last season. 

How does this schedule look for Cottonwood? 

A Colts team that reached the 4A state quarterfinals and exited at that stage one year after being the 4A state runner-up opened their season at Brighton Nov. 19. The preseason will continue against Riverton, helmed by Cottonwood’s previous coach Lance Gummersall, Nov. 25. 

The month of December begins with a home game Dec. 2 against Clearfield, and then the Colts will play three straight games in Cache County Dec. 4-6. 

Then, Cottonwood will head down to Utah County for another holiday tournament for three games from Dec. 11-13, before hosting Jordan on Dec. 16 and rival Murray Dec. 18 to tip off Region 10 action. 

The additions of the two Catholic schools should make things more entertaining for a Colts squad that won a Region 10 title by one game. 

The one game to circle on your calendar, though, is a rematch against Layton Christian Academy, now an independent but the school that defeated the Colts in the 4A state championship game two years ago, and that showdown will be played on Jan. 16.  

Girls 

Under the direction of longtime head coach Teresa Soracco, the Colts have won consecutive Region 10 championships. 

How are the Lady Colts feeling about this season? 

“Boys and girls basketball have had a great first week of practice and there is an excitement for the year to start,” MacIntyre said.

Like the Colts boys though, the girls basketball team fell short of their objectives at state, losing in the 4A second round. Cottonwood finished with a 17-5 record, its best in years. 

The Colts lost five to graduation, including three that will continue playing in college. It is a huge loss for this Cottonwood program to have to say goodbye to two of their three leading scorers. 

The good news is the Colts have a program that is deep in talent, and still has plenty of returning players including Carley Caton, a senior who was Cottonwood’s second leading scorer and welcomes back sophomore Lexie Tripp, the third Tripp sister to play there in five years. 

Considering the two older Tripps are playing college basketball still, and Lexie averaged 2 points, 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal on a loaded team as a freshman, don’t be too surprised if another Tripp sister trips up Region 10 with her skills. 

There are also seniors, such as Sophie Yates, along with Luka Cecez’ sister Jovana that figure to fill in and produce larger roles on this Colts squad. 

The Cottonwood girls began their season on the road at Provo, on the same night the boys start theirs, Nov. 19, after press time. 

The Colts will play at Hunter Nov. 21, before they have their home opener against Summit Academy on Nov. 24. 

In December, the girls will play at Olympus Dec. 3, and then they will head back home for two games: Granger, Dec. 5, and Roy, Dec. 6. 

That’s when Region 10 play gets underway, and the Colts will stay put at Cottonwood when they take on Park City Dec. 12, and then battle Jordan on Dec. 17—all before the big rivalry game against Murray on Dec. 19.