FAULKTON – It has already been a memorable season for Layne Cotton, and now he wants to make it extraordinary.

The Faulkton senior standout recently became a member of the 1,000-point club and is currently on a mission to lead the Trojans to their first ever state boys’ basketball tournament.

Cotton’s milestone points came amidst a 22-point performance in a 57-40 road loss at Wolsey-Wessington on Dec. 19. He became the fifth boys’ player in program history to accomplish the feat.

“It means a lot to me,” Cotton said of reaching the 1,000-point plateau.

Currently, the Trojans sit at 10-3, and it’s thanks in large part to Cotton’s production so far this season. He’s averaging 24 points and 10.5 rebounds, right on par with last year’s numbers (23.1, 10.2). Cotton earned himself Third Team All-State and First Team Lake Region All-Conference honors as a junior.

“He’s one of the best players I’ve coached,” Faulkton head coach Kyle Erdahl said. “You know, I haven’t been coaching for a very long time, but he’s kind of got the whole bag. He’s a great passer — that’s one of his best qualities. He’s a great defender. We played Ipswich the other night, and for the entire second half, he took out their best player.”

But Cotton doesn’t only excel on the basketball court.

In the fall, he helped lead the Trojans to their third appearance in the 9B state championship game and first since 2014. Faulkton fell to Avon in a 32-30 thriller on Nov. 9 at the DakotaDome. Cotton threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

The Trojans ended the year with an impressive 10-2 record, with the only other setback coming to eventual 9A champion Warner.

“It was awesome. I mean, it was so much fun,” Cotton said regarding his senior season on the gridiron. “Playing at Northern State’s stadium against the (eventual) Class 9A champs and taking them down to the wire, that was awesome. That is a game that I will remember. The dome game was just crazy. I’ll forever remember that — I loved everything about (the season).”

As a two-year starter at quarterback, he amassed 2,614 yards passing and 31 touchdowns while adding 624 more yards on the ground. Cotton was named 2023 9B All-American and selected all-conference as a junior and senior.

“He’d be the first to say this, he had a great offensive line that gave him time to throw the ball and gave him holes to run through,” Trojans head coach Shayne Geditz said.

“He did a nice job of putting us in positions where he could make plays with his legs or his arm. He did a good job of making sure we were in the right spot and running our offense.”

Cotton is also a talented baseball player. Last summer, he appeared for Miller-Wessington in the State B Amateur Baseball Tournament against Dimock-Emery.

Cotton struck out five batters and recorded a double for the Outlaws in a 2-0 loss to the Raptors.

At the plate, Cotton maintained a .439 batting average and tallied 13 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs. He was just as effective on the mound. In 30 innings pitched, Cotton posted a 3-0 record and 3.23 ERA while racking up 38 strikeouts.

Cotton also competes in golf and track as well.

On May 22, he tied Ipswich’s Jace Konsor for ninth in the individual standings of the Region 5B Boys Golf Tournament, shooting an 87. Cotton also participated in last year’s state tournament and will return to the golf course this spring, as well as competing in the javelin throw for Faulkton.

“He’s had a very successful career here at Faulkton, and he’ll be successful as he goes forward,” Geditz said. “He’s been surrounded by good teammates, and he’d be the first to give them credit for his success — It’s a team effort, and he believes in team. That’s something that’s important.”

When asked what makes Cotton a great athlete besides his natural ability, Erdahl immediately mentioned his work ethic.

“He loves the game,” Erdahl said. “Whatever sport he’s playing — basketball, football, baseball, golf, track, whatever it may be — he’s going to put everything into it. He’s going to work hard.”

Cotton explained that he loves to compete and has been that way since a “very young age.”

“I really do not like to lose,” Cotton said. “Whether it’s a game at family Christmas or on the football field, I just hate losing. So I always give 100 percent.”

Along with being a fierce competitor, he’s also a proven leader. Cotton was voted as a team captain this year for football and basketball.

“Really to me, as a leader on both the basketball and football team, I try to really support my teammates (and) help them get better — and really help the younger kids, too,” he said. “‘Tradition never graduates,’ Coach Geditz always says, and I really believe in that.”

These traits Cotton possesses have contributed to his success in Faulkton athletics.

“He’s a good kid who comes from a good family,” Geditz said. “He puts the time in. And when you’re putting others first, that usually leads you to success.”

As Cotton continues his final campaign on the basketball court, he and the Trojans have one goal in mind — and it’s never been done in the program’s history.

“We want to make it to Aberdeen and play in the state tournament,” Cotton said.

The forward added he would like to make First-Team All-State and finish the season as Faulkton’s all-time leading rebounder.

As for his future in athletics after high school, he’s currently undecided.

“I want to play a sport. I’m just not sure which one I want to do quite yet,” Cotton said. “After baseball, I’ll probably make a decision on what I want to do.”