The Cochrane High School Cobras took little time in expressing their desire to be a top team in Rocky View Sports Association senior boy’s basketball play.
The Cobras trapped, shoved and sprinted their way to a 92-42 victory over the visiting Bow Valley High School Bobcats Dec. 5 at Cochrane High.
“We came out really well in the first quarter, and it kind of stalled out a little bit on us after that,” said Cobras head coach Kris Nielson. “But for our first league game, I think I’m happy with that.”
Cobras Kyle Moortgat and Jake Moulton both lunged out of the gate, with Moortgat pouring in 13 first-quarter points and Moulton netting nine. The Cobras led their cross-town rivals 53-18 at the half.
And while they were sprinting down the floor at every opportunity, the Cobras suffocated Bow Valley’s offence from the get-go.
The strategy worked as Bow Valley couldn’t get much going on offence. Bobcats’ go-to shooter Cole Lethebe managed 12 first-half points while the rest of the Bobcats shooters were as cold as a December night in Cochrane.
“They were playing tough defence,” said Bobcats head coach Chris Clattenburg. “We had a deliberate offence that we weren’t able to get around their trap.
“Hopefully we get an opportunity to improve on that.”
Cochrane’s Chace Nielson had a strong game, netting nine first-half points and pestering Bobcats shooters on defence.
“I thought we just played well as a team,” he said. “It’s going well for us.”
Cochrane visits Springbank Dec. 12 to take on the Phoenix, while Bow Valley hosts Bert Church on the same night. Both games tip-off at 7:45 p.m.
