DOVE CREEK – Three area schools closed out their home schedules on Tuesday night with Dolores, Dove Creek, and Montezuma-Cortez honoring their seniors.
Here’s a rundown of the action as the Bears, Bulldogs, and Panthers prepare to close out their regular season on the road.
The Bulldogs used a 22-0 run that extended from the midpoint of the first quarter into the late stages of the second in their win over the Bluejays (0-21, 0-11 SJBL). On Parents Night in the Dawg House, all five starters scored at least six points, with senior Liam Hassell and junior Trevan Ivie scoring 21 apiece.
Mancos junior Miguel Derizotis posted seven points to lead the Bluejays, who celebrate their Senior Night on Friday against Dolores.
Dove Creek (16-5, 10-0 SJBL) extends its winning streak to 12 wins with a contest at Ouray awaiting Friday.
The final score didn’t reflect the test that the Bluejays provided for the Bulldogs, whose 13-0 lead in the first quarter climbed to more than 20 points in the first half. Mancos (6-13, 5-6 SJBL) would battle back, however, closing to within a dozen in the second half before Dove Creek (16-5, 8-2 SJBL) stepped on the gas to pull away.
Dove Creek senior Ralynn Hickman led all scorers with 25 points, while junior Taylor Hampton added 13 and senior Taylor Barry scored 10.
Mancos freshman Tinsley Aspromonte scored 21 points, and senior Randi Lewis added seven.
M-CHS (16-5, 8-2 IML) turned a 29-28 halftime deficit around in a big way with a 25-4 run in the third quarter to sprint away from the feisty Bobcats. Sophomore Trey Hall scored 18 points to pace the way, helping the Panthers complete the season sweep of Ignacio (9-11, 2-7 IML).
The Panthers head to Monte Vista on Friday night for a doubleheader with the Pirates and an opportunity to lock up second place in the IML.
In the game of the night in The Jungle, M-CHS (6-15, 2-8 IML) edged out Ignacio in a critical contest for the Panthers postseason aspirations. After trading the lead for most of the first half with Ignacio up 18-17 at the break, M-CHS outscored the Bobcats 12-8 in the third quarter to seize the momentum.
Seniors Reyaunna Jones, Kayden Lee, and Kalea Ogo secured big buckets in the homestretch to help the Panthers pull out the win. Ogo led the way with 11 points for the Panthers while classmate Taylor Whited added seven. Ignacio’s Delaney Wesner scored 14 points for game-high honors.
The Bears (6-15, 3-8 SJBL) honored their seniors before compiling a spirited effort against the Mustangs, but a late Nucla surge denied Dolores a memorable home finale. Dolores led by two after the opening stanza on a Tray Traweek buzzer-beating three, but Nucla reclaimed momentum in the second quarter.
Senior Zach Rantz posted one of his best nights, scoring 14 points while junior Michael Rantz added 13 points as the Bears stayed within five points after three quarters, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Sophomore Miles Brown added 10 points, and senior Michael Nielson scored eight.
Nucla’s Brycen Rummel scored 16 points to lead all the visitors.
Dolores will cap off their season on the road for the rivalry meeting against Mancos on Friday night at Bluejay Fieldhouse.
The visiting Mustangs officially clinched the San Juan Basin League title while disrupting the Bears’ Senior Night. Bears junior Taylor Erautt tallied 17 points while senior Savannah Stiegelmeyer added four points for the hosts.
Lantry Galley tallied 25 points for the Mustangs to lead all scorers.
Dolores (7-15, 4-7 SJBL) will look to close out their season with their highest win total since 2018-19 when they visit Mancos, hoping to avenge a 29-25 defeat from January.
