HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s Colden Cook, voted by readers as the Iola Register’s Male Athlete of the Month, is pleased but not satisfied with the Cubs’ success on the basketball court.
“It’s going pretty well, but there are things we need to clean up,” Cook said.
The 6-4 junior is one of the key protagonists behind the Cubs’ success.
He’s averaging 14 points and more than 6 rebounds a game for the 17-2 Humboldt squad, which sealed its second straight Tri-Valley League championship Thursday and is in line for the top seed in the upcoming substate tournament at the end of the month.
“I like our team’s chances,” Cook said. “We have some pretty good team chemistry.”
The chemistry between Cook and his fellow power forward Sam Hull is more than “pretty good.”
Humboldt’s hardwood version of the twin towers combines for more than 30 points and 12 rebounds a game. They’re nearly identical in steals and assists as well (each averages more than 2 a game in both categories).
“We just get along,” Cook said. “I understand his game, and he understands mine. We’re good at finding each other down low, and we celebrate when the other guy does well.”
Cook and Hull also have made a point throwing down a thunderous dunk on occasion.
“He’s better at it than I am,” Cook admitted. “I’ll say, ‘Try to beat this one.’ And he usually does.”
Cook’s dedication on the basketball court has allowed him to improve across the board when it comes to statistics.
“I still need to improve my outside shooting,” he explained. “And I’ll miss a few bunnies every now and then.”
WHILE there’s still plenty to be resolved on the basketball court, Cook will hit the baseball diamond in the spring with the Humboldt baseball team.
In limited varsity action as a sophomore, Cook batted a lofty .423 with seven RBIs for the Cubs in 2023.
FOR WINNING athlete of the month, Cook will receive a free specialty pizza from Rookies in Iola.
