Eagles Close Regular Season at Hugoton, Turn Focus to Sub-State
February 20, 2026
The Colby High School Eagles closed out their regular season Friday night with a 74-43 road loss to the Hugoton Eagles, wrapping up a challenging stretch against one of Class 4A’s top-ranked squads.
Colby hung tough early, battling to a 6-6 tie midway through the first quarter before Hugoton surged late. A three-pointer at the buzzer capped an 11-2 run for the home team, sending Colby into the second quarter trailing 19-8.
Despite the deficit, the Eagles refused to fold. Senior Jordan Jones, who has been the focal point of opposing defenses down the stretch, worked his way to 11 first-half points, while Josiah Hoppe added seven and Kaleb Dixon knocked down a pair of three-pointers to keep Colby within striking distance at halftime, Hugoton held a 39-29 advantage.
Colby’s best push came early in the third quarter. After switching to a zone defense, the Eagles disrupted Hugoton’s rhythm and cut the lead to six at 39-33 following a strong finish inside by Hoppe. The defensive adjustment briefly slowed Hugoton’s dribble-drive attack, but the home team responded with a flurry of outside shots and transition baskets to regain control.
Hugoton stretched the lead to 54-35 by the end of the third quarter and continued to pour it on in the fourth. The final horn sounded with Hugoton securing the 74-43 victory.
Jones led Colby with 16 points, Hoppe contributed nine, Dixon added six on two triples, and Cobin Curry chipped in key interior baskets as Colby battled against Hugoton’s depth and quickness.
Hugoton, ranked among the top teams in Class 4A, showcased balance with multiple players in double figures and capitalized on offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities throughout the contest.
While the loss drops Colby to .500 on the season, the focus now shifts to postseason play. The Eagles will open sub-state action at home on Thursday, entering with a 0-0 mindset and an opportunity to reset after facing one of the region’s toughest schedules.
With battle-tested experience against ranked competition and a senior core led by Jones and Hoppe, Colby will look to regroup quickly and make a push when the games matter most.
The regular season may have closed in Hugoton, but a new chapter begins today— and the Eagles will be ready.