Eagles Hold Off Late Rally to Secure 52–47 Road Win at Goodland
January 13, 2026
The Colby High School boys basketball team continued its strong early-season momentum on Tuesday night, January 13, grinding out a hard-fought 52–47 road victory over longtime rival Goodland inside the Max Jones Fieldhouse. In a game that featured momentum swings, physical defense, and late-game drama, the Eagles showed poise down the stretch to secure their seventh win of the season.
The opening quarter set the tone for what would be a competitive, back-and-forth contest. Colby came out with balanced scoring, getting multiple players involved early, while senior Jordan Jones picked up right where he left off following a big scoring night the week prior. Goodland countered by knocking down several three-pointers to stay even, and after a flurry of early lead changes, the Cowboys held a slim 17–14 edge at the end of the first quarter.
Colby’s energy carried into the second quarter, as the Eagles ramped up their defensive pressure and began to control the pace. With just under two minutes remaining in the half, Colby claimed its first lead at 24–21, fueled by strong interior play and timely stops. Jones capped the half by earning a trip to the free-throw line in the closing seconds, pushing the Eagles ahead 26–21 at the break.
The third quarter began sluggishly on both ends, with missed shots and turnovers slowing the rhythm of play. Despite the uneven stretch, Colby managed to maintain control, gradually extending its advantage. Tensions rose midway through the period, resulting in a technical foul assessed to the Goodland bench, which further swung momentum toward the Eagles. Colby closed the quarter on a strong note, building a double-digit lead and entering the final frame ahead 39–29.
Goodland refused to go quietly. The Cowboys opened the fourth quarter with renewed intensity, trimming the deficit with a combination of perimeter shooting and transition baskets. A pair of Colby turnovers allowed Goodland to close within five at 41–36, and moments later the game tightened even further after another Cowboys three made it a one-possession contest.
The final minutes were filled with high-pressure possessions and clutch plays. After Goodland tied the game at 43 with 2:54 remaining, Josiah Hoppe responded immediately, knocking down a critical shot and following it with a block on the defensive end. Hoppe wasn’t finished, as he secured an offensive rebound and converted a putback to give Colby breathing room at 47–43 with just over a minute left.
Even then, the drama was not over. A late steal by Nathan Cates helped Colby push the lead to 50–45, but a five-second violation gave Goodland one final chance to mount a comeback. Calm execution in the closing seconds sealed it, as the Eagles protected the ball and closed out the five-point win.
Colby finished the night shooting 40 percent from the field and went 9-of-14 from the free-throw line. Jones led all scorers with 19 points, adding five assists and four steals, while Hoppe provided a spark with 14 points, seven rebounds, and several key plays in crunch time. Cates added six points, and Cody Wright, Kade Youngman, and Cobin Curry each chipped in four.
With the win, Colby improved to 7–2 on the season, completing a road sweep in Goodland and matching the girls team’s earlier victory. The Eagles will look to build on the gritty performance as they continue through the heart of their winter schedule.