Cowboys Returns Two Starters For Basketball Campaign

The Culbertson Cowboys have 18 boys out for basketball this season including a pair of returning starters.

Starters back for the Cowboys are senior Michael Pederson and sophomore Colin Avance.

“Colin and Michael have each been in the gym all summer,” coach Dave Helmer said.

Other returning players with a good amount of varsity experience include senior Hunter Lucas, junior Aiden Perkins and sophomore Payton Perkins.

The coach is looking forward to Payton Perkins taking over the point guard duties this season.

“We’re extremely young,” Helmer said. “The only real experience we have are Colin and Michael.”

The coach feels that junior James Kirkalde, junior Isaiah Bighorn, junior Kyler Kempton, and sophomore Kobe Nickoloff could each make big strides for the Cowboys.

“We will be physically strong,” Helmer added. “We can go nine deep.”

Culbertson’s height includes Lucas at 6-5 and Pederson at 6-4. Inexperience is a weakness. “We’re loaded with sophomores and freshmen,” Helmer said.

He sees Fairview and Froid/ Lake as conference favorites heading into the season.

“I think everybody else is rebuilding too,” Helmer said of league teams.

The Cowboys will open their season at home against Froid/Lake on Saturday, Jan. 2.