Month: February 2011

Killdeer starter may miss tourney game after father’s death, Cougars coach offers support

Killdeer sophomore Brock Pittsley's status for the Region 7 boys basketball tournament is uncertain following the death of his father, David. Pittsley is the Cowboys' starting power forward.

The Killdeer boys basketball team will be playing through some pain on Monday in the Region 7 tournament quarterfinals.

Sophomore Brock Pittsley, the Cowboys’ starting power forward, is dealing with the death of his father, David Pittsley, who passed away Thursday at age 45. David Pittsley’s funeral is at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Killdeer. The Cowboys are scheduled to play Heart River at 4:30 p.m. that day.

Asked whether or not Pittsley will play, Killdeer coach Wayne Sanders said, “we’re not real sure.”

Sanders said David Pittsley’s death has greatly affected his team. The Cowboys practiced Thursday and Sanders said, “We had a tough day.”

Heart River head coach Greg Pruitt said he has reached out to Pittsley and the Cowboys for two reasons. First, many Heart River players are good friends with Pittsley. Second, Pruitt said he also lost his father at a young age.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brock,” Pruitt said. “Our hearts go out to him.”