Eagles Rally for Third Place at Topside Tip-Off
December 13, 2025
The Colby Eagles boys basketball team closed out a productive three-day stretch at the Topside Tip-Off in Goodland on Dec. 11–13 by responding to early adversity and finishing strong, earning a third-place trophy after back-to-back wins over Wray and Norton. The tournament offered Colby a mix of high-level competition and meaningful growth moments as the Eagles continued to shape their identity early in the season.
Colby opened the tournament against Life Prep Academy, the top-ranked team in the state at the time, in a first-round matchup that immediately tested the Eagles’ resolve. Life Prep’s experience and physicality showed early, but Colby never backed down.
Despite falling behind in the first half, the Eagles settled in, shared the ball more effectively, and chipped away at the deficit behind strong perimeter shooting and aggressive drives. Colby cut the lead to six in the fourth quarter before ultimately coming up short, 66-57, in a performance that left the coaching staff encouraged about the team’s ceiling. Jordan Jones led the Eagles with 25 points, while the overall effort established a tone that carried into the remainder of the tournament
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That resilience showed immediately in Friday’s second-round game against Wray. Playing with renewed focus, Colby weathered early foul trouble and turnovers, then leaned on defensive stops and timely shooting to grind out a hard-fought win. Jones took over in the second half, scoring repeatedly off the dribble and finishing through contact, while teammates provided key contributions to keep the pressure on Wray. The victory not only advanced Colby to the third-place game but also demonstrated the Eagles’ ability to respond after a difficult opening round.
Head coach Reed Stephens said the bounce-back performance was a direct result of the team’s mindset. “Friday’s game was not our best outing but we persevered and fought hard to the end and pulled out another win which was nice,” Stephens said. “On Saturday I feel like we bounced back well. We were focused, pretty sharp, and took home the consolation championship, which if you don’t win the first game is something you can make a priority of doing.”
Saturday’s third-place game against Norton showcased Colby at its best. The Eagles built momentum early and never let it slip, using balanced scoring, strong interior play, and disciplined defense to control the contest. Colby stretched the lead with an explosive second quarter, then continued to apply pressure after halftime as several players made key contributions. The win secured third place and capped a two-day run that reflected both growth and confidence.
Stephens emphasized the value of the weekend as a whole. “I think we learned a lot this tournament so it was good for us to get some more games under our belt and to prove to ourselves what we can do,” he said. “When we are right we can play with anyone.”
Jones echoed that sentiment, noting the quality of competition throughout the field. “Yeah, I thought the tournament was filled with a lot of good competition,” Jones said. “Unfortunately we were scheduled the number one team in the state at the time of play, Life Prep Academy, for our first game. But I thought we played great. I think we really showed that we can hang with anyone.”
Individually, Jones’ week in Goodland was particularly memorable. He was named to the Topside Tip-Off All-Tournament Team and also captured the tournament’s three-point contest, underscoring his all-around offensive impact. Cody Wright was honored as a member of the All-Tournament School Leadership Team, reflecting his steady presence and leadership on and off the floor.
By the time the Eagles left Goodland, they had done more than bring home hardware. They proved they could compete with elite opponents, respond to adversity, and close out games when it mattered.
Colby now looks to open its home stand against a tough opponent in Holcomb, with girls varsity action set to begin at 6pm, and boys at 7:30pm at the Colby Event Center.
