After starting the season 2-0, the Mancos Bluejays boys basketball team enjoyed mixed results against tougher competition.
PASCHAL STARS
Opening last week's play at home against Navajo Prep on Dec. 10, the Bluejays rode a big game by sophomore Ro Paschal to a 66-64 victory.
Dominant throughout the night, Paschal played some of his best basketball, dominating smaller Navajo Prep defenders on his way to a career-high 40 points.
The ability of Bluejays' guards to handle pressure and get the ball inside was vital in the win.
"(Navajo Prep) came out and applied quite a bit of pressure," said Bluejays' head coach Rodney Cox. "I thought that Kyle Cox and Nigel Henry did a good job of not letting that bother them and getting the ball into (Paschal)."
Junior Nigel Henry scored six points; junior Brandon Hood-Farley, four.
AZTEC OVERWHELMS
The Bluejays returned to action at home on Dec. 12, losing 58-44 to a talented Aztec High School team.
Key to the Bluejays' loss to Aztec was a second quarter that saw a one-point Aztec lead grow to nine.
By the end of the half, the Bluejays trailed 32-23. Though team fought hard in the second half, the deficit proved too much.
"That was just a slugfest," said Rodney Cox. "We got beat by a better team. They have 940 kids in that school, but we put up a great fight."
Leading the Bluejays in the loss were Paschal and Henry with 16 points.
RIDGWAY EDGES JAYS
Closing out last week's play at home against Ridgway on Dec. 14, the Bluejays narrowly missed a victory, falling 59-55.
After concluding the first quarter with a 15-13 lead, the Bluejays ran into difficulties, surrendering 21 second-quarter points to fall behind 33-26 at halftime.
"We had too many fouls," explained Cox. "Fouls slowed down our transition game. They hit some threes and those hurt us."
Keying the Bluejays attack in the loss, Hood-Farley scored 16 points, Paschal added 15, and junior Daniel Christianson added 10.
"I didn't have the kids prepared with what they needed to know," Cox said.
Cox expressed confidence in his team's ability to play well in Dolores on Dec. 20.
"I'm really pleased with where we're at," he said. "I have a super good bunch of kids. They work hard and never quit."
