Freshman guard Drew Gaston led COD with a game-high 22 points and Amaris Hughes added 14 for the Chaparrals in their 77-53 loss to visiting Kalamazoo Valley in nonconference junior college basketball Thursday afternoon.
 
The Chaps closed the 2021 portion of their season at 4-7 overall and now prepare for a Region 4 contest at Kishwaukee on Jan. 8.
 
The Chaps trailed for nearly the entire game as the Cougars pulled away late in the first half. They utilized a 19-6 run over a seven-plus minute span and led 39-25 at the break.
 
Gaston shot 8 of 18 from the field and was successful on all six of his free  throw attempts. He pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds.
 
Hughes hit 7 of his 14 shots and grabbed seven rebounds.
 
Myles Johnson led the Cougars with 16 points off the bench.