Feature Photo By: Cade Palmer – In the home of the Cotton family, there is a photo album of Curtis Cotton. His mother says she loves these pictures.
On Saturday, September 1st, the 7th annual Curtis Robert “Chilly” Cotton 3v3 basketball tournament will take place at Rangeview High School.
Curtis Cotton was a basketball player at Rangeview High School from the class of 2004. Cotton tragically passed away on May 7, 2010, due to a car accident. Many say he was a very good player at Rangeview, as he went on to play at Western Nebraska and New Mexico Highlands post-graduation. He was ranked in the top 25 on the Top 25 Rangeview Boys Ballers of All Time list that was put out last school year.
Cotton’s basketball coach in high school, and current boy’s basketball coach at Rangeview, Shawn Palmer, works with Curtis’ parents Kimerly and Curtis Cotton to put on the memorial tournament to remember their son. Every year, there are about 15-20 teams that play in the tournament. The tournament is open to the whole school, and the community outside of it. There are concessions, and in the past, they have hosted events like face painting and a dance put on by a high school friend of Curtis as well.
“He loved the game of basketball and loved sharing his gift with others. It allows our family to express the importance of safety by wearing seat belts,” Mrs. Cotton said.
Many of the players enjoy their time at the tournament, and appreciate the message that is sent during the memorial tournament.
“We wanted to honor and remember Curtis’ life and at the same time encourage safety and making good decisions as you grow up,” coach Palmer explained.
Rangeview junior Isaiah Jamison has played in the tournament many times now, and said, “It’s good competition and it’s for a good cause to bring awareness for safe driving.”
Go check out and support the tournament on Saturday, September 1st. All of the money goes to the Curtis Cotton Memorial Foundation.
