The Bulldogs crushed the Bluejays 42-20 in non-league play at the Mountain Top Invitational in La Jara on Saturday. The victory capped a 2-1 start for DC to open the Teresa Martin era. The Bulldogs also topped Sargent 41-29 the night before.
Mancos is 0-3 to begin the season, also losing to Sargent (43-37) and Centauri (67-6).
The Dolores boys picked up their first win of the season at the Thunderbird Invitational, defeating La Veta 64-46.
Dove Creek will join Dolores (1-3) in the Rangely Holiday Tournament, while Mancos will host Ignacio in its home opener on Tuesday night.
Montezuma-Cortez (2-1) made their way down to the Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic in Page, AZ and fell short to Shadow Ridge Stallions in the first round, 60-52, but won their next contest against the Parowan Rams, 45-37. A road trip to Blanding awaits Mike Hall’s group, with a Tuesday night contest against San Juan.
The Montezuma-Cortez girls basketball team (1-2) made their way down to Shiprock for the Jerry Richardson Memorial Invitational.
The Panthers opened with a commanding 57-5 victory over Shiprock Northwest, thanks to junior Sariah Jackson’s career-high 23 points. However, Montezuma-Cortez lost 52-25 to tournament host Shiprock and 35-33 against Bloomfield.
In the tournament semifinals, the Chieftains took control and outpaced the Panther defense in the second half, thanks to a series of successful 3-pointers. Shiprock outscored Montezuma-Cortez 24-10 in the third quarter and finished the game, 52-25.
Against Bloomfield, Montezuma-Cortez led by nine points in the second half, but a late charge by the Bobcats helped them to surge past the Panthers. In spite of a game-tying 3-pointer by senior Kalea Ogo, the Bobcats drained late free throws to steal the win.
Montezuma-Cortez will travel to Blanding, Utah on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere, Dove Creek (1-2) and Dolores (1-3) picked up their first wins of the season.
The Bulldogs bounced back from a couple tough season-opening defeats, topping Mancos 45-25 at the Mountain Top Tournament in La Jara.
Meanwhile, Mancos started its season 0-3 under first-year coach Julie Oliver. Dove Creek will gear up for another holiday tournament in Rangely next weekend, while Mancos opens the home ledger with a contest against Ignacio on Tuesday.
The Bears earned first-year coach Taralee Hufstetler her first coaching victory, as the Bears toppled Sangre de Cristo 31-15 in the Thunderbird Invitational in Mosca. However, Dolores also came up short against Centennial (31-25) and La Veta (48-15). Dolores will travel to Rangely next weekend.
The Lady Panthers scored a third-place team finish at the Wolverine Classic in Bayfield.
The Panthers posted a pair of victories, as CeJae Snyder won the 110-115 weight division, while Aubrey Rutherford won the 155 weight class. The Panthers showcased eight athletes in the tournament, with Baylee Molzahn taking third in the 100-pound division and Paislee Mestas (120) placing third. Montezuma-Cortez narrowly missed out on the team title, scoring 77 points, just behind Durango’s title-winning 88 points.
Dolores, Montezuma-Cortez and Dove Creek opened their seasons at the Red Rocks Invitational in Moab and the Wolverine Classic boys wrestling tournament in Bayfield.
In Bayfield, Montezuma-Cortez junior Rusty Snyder was took second in the 138 division, while Teagun Samora (113) and Ashton Orr (144) each claimed fourth place in their weight classes.
For Dolores, sophomore River Wickstrom claimed second place in the 157 class, while Daniel Jacket (190) and Nathan Hill (150) each placed fourth.
In Moab, Dove Creek earned top-four finishes from all its participants, led by Konnor Spigner’s title at 157, runner-up finishes by Frankey Montoya (215) and Cael Beanland (132), and a fourth-place effort by Chad Kline (144).
Bear wrestlers Zaiden Hanson (126) and Kale Gates (165) posted third place efforts for Casen Eldridge’s squad.
Dove Creek standout Teagan Larimore was the runner-up in a loaded field in the 138-weight class at the prestigious Jerry Benson Tournament in Arizona.
Several area teams will travel to Montrose this upcoming weekend.
Ben Bradley contributed to this story.
