Sporting a 6-0 record and ranked No. 1 one in the 1A classification by a recent Colorado Associated Press poll, the Dove Creek Bulldogs entered last week’s play brimming with confidence.
Adversity found the Bulldogs however, who, after dropping a tight contest to Monticello, rebounded to record a big win in Mancos.
Bulldogs’ offense struggles
Opening last week’s play on Jan. 9 at home against Monticello, the usually potent Bulldogs’ offense struggled in route to a 30-24 loss.
Facing a stingy Monticello defense, the Bulldogs had difficulty scoring early, posting eight points in the first quarter and two points in the second quarter to trail 15-10 at halftime.
Hoping to put the ball through the basket in the second half, the Bulldogs continued to struggle from the field and after consecutive jump shots by Monticello, trailed 19-10 midway through the third quarter.
Trailing 24-14 with just over six minutes to go and intent on staving off their first loss of the season however, the Bulldogs finally found their offense, narrowing the gap to 26-23 with 1:34 left in the game.
A potential game tying three by Young with 38 seconds left caromed off the back rim however and Monticello subsequently pulled away for the 30-24 victory.
“We usually are pretty good on offense,” said Young, who led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points. “Our shots just weren’t falling.”
“I think they had enough ball pressure on us that we were throwing the ball instead of shooting the ball,” added Bulldogs’ head coach Jim Buffington.
Bulldogs find form in Mancos
Intent on regaining their form against in Mancos on Jan. 10, the Bulldogs played with fire, sprinting to a 65-46 victory.
Completely dominating the paint, Young scored 16 points and junior Ana Lee scored 10.
Senior guards Jessica Guynes and Corissa Guynes also got in on the action, scoring chipping in 17 points and 16 points respectively.
With their record now at 7-1, the Bulldogs will continue working to improve their offense in preparation for a Jan. 17 road matchup against Telluride.
imaclaren@cortezjournal.com
