The Dove Creek Bulldogs have checked a lot of boxes on their 2022-23 season to-do list.
From winning their home holiday tournament and running the table in the San Juan Basin League schedule, each checkmark brought the ‘Dogs one step closer to their big end-of-season ambitions – a return to the state tournament in Greeley.
The past two hurdles that head coach Julie Kibel’s Bulldogs cleared came with trophies – a dominant district title, and now, another regional title plaque will adorn the trophy case at DCHS. Dove Creek (21-2) played their final home games of the season, making sure that they put together performances to remember for the home fans, sweeping past DeBeque 68-28 on Friday, and Cheraw 43-35 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the 1A state tournament.
Dove Creek extended their winning streak to 20 consecutive victories with their pair of regional successes – and the ‘Dogs needed plenty of resilience to carry the day in their regional final win over Cheraw.
The No. 13 seed Wolverines made it clear that they weren’t going to be intimidated by an energetic “Dawg House” crowd, outscoring Dove Creek 8-7 in the opening eight minutes while limiting the high-powered Dove Creek offense to a single field goal in the quarter.
The tide shifted in the second, however, as the home-standing Bulldogs started to find their rhythm at the offensive end. Seniors Rylee Hickman and Lexi Gray accounted for nine of the 14 Bulldog points in the quarter, but Wolverine sophomore Delaney Bond kept pace, scoring eight points to keep Cheraw within striking distance. After a back-and-forth first half, the Bulldogs nudged in front 21-18 at the break.
Hickman continued to score in the third quarter, adding another half dozen points, but the game shifted because of the work the Bulldogs put in on the defensive end. The Bulldogs held Cheraw to three points in the third quarter to give themselves a nine-point cushion heading to the fourth.
Junior Kylie Gatlin dropped in a three in the final eight minutes, scoring five of her ten points in the quarter as the Bulldogs kept the Wolverines at a distance to close out their second straight regional title.
Hickman led all scorers with 16 points, to join Gatlin in double figures. Junior Kalie Gatlin added seven points while Gray notched six. Bond fell quiet in the second half, scoring only one bucket, but she led the Wolverines with ten.
The regional semifinal win over DeBeque held less drama, as D.C. put the No. 29 Dragons on their heels right from the opening tip. Gray scored 14 of her game-high 22 points in the first half as the Bulldogs constructed an insurmountable 45-8 lead at halftime.
Rylee Hickman and Kalie Gatlin each scored ten points, while sophomore Ralynn Hickman buried three triples to tally nine points. Senior Trista Barnett and Kylie Gatlin added eight points apiece.
For the third straight season, Dove Creek’s girls have qualified for the state quarterfinals, and the next obstacle facing the Bulldogs will be No. 5 Stratton (16-8) on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado, as the Bulldogs and Eagles are slated for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday, March 9. Local radio station KRTZ 98.7 FM and krtzradio.com will carry the action from Greeley as the Bulldogs seek an elusive spot in the Final Four.
With eyes on a return trip to the state tournament, the No. 14 Dove Creek boys team couldn’t quite duplicate the feat, winning their regional semifinal contest Friday against No. 19 Front Range Baptist 58-37 before falling to the No. 3 McClave Cardinals 73-54 in the regional final Saturday.
Head coach Aaron Hankins’ squad played even with the Cards through the opening quarter, tied at 15 after eight minutes. However, McClave controlled the second quarter, outscoring Dove Creek 23-3 to change the complexion of the contest, and put the Bulldogs on the verge of elimination.
The defending state champion Cardinals closed the door on a Dove Creek comeback bid in the third quarter to punch their ticket to the state quarterfinals in Greeley.
One night earlier, the Bulldogs picked up an impressive win, outscoring the No. 19 seed Falcons 34-19 in the second half to pull away for the opening round win.
The Bulldogs collection of seniors – Kade Hankins, Tanner Williams, Kendall Gardner, Cole Taber, and Asher Nye capped off another stellar season with a record of 16-7.
