DOVE CREEK – Already more than doubled up on the scoreboard at halftime, the Bulldog boys emerged from the locker room Tuesday night thinking comeback, and with a quick Branson Smith 3-pointer and Kade Hankins basket, indeed appeared ready to rally.
But behind first-half catalyst Brady McCaw, visiting Ignacio awoke with a vengeance, countering with a 10-0 run which effectively put the 2A/1A San Juan Basin League game out of reach. McCaw’s first five third-quarter points increased his count to a game-high 18, and an impressive four teammates would join him in double figures offensively in a 72-32 victory.
Reserve guard Joe Garcia would finish with 12 points, nine via three 3-pointers beginning the final frame after IHS – ranked fifth in the first CHSAANow.com Class 2A Boys’ Basketball poll of 2020 – ended the third with a comfortable 52-27 lead. Reserve forward Dylan Labarthe booked 11 points, while starting guard Gabe Tucson and starting forward/center Bryce Finn each totaled 10 as all eight Bobcats in uniform scored at least two points.
Willing to attempt numerous drives into a well-guarded lane, Hankins fought for a Dove Creek-best 10 points, while Gage Bailey came off skipper Ty Gray’s bench to contribute a surprise eight. Pickings proved slim beyond that, however.
Paint patroller Hayden Gray was held to just four points – all in a first quarter which began with Ignacio taking a 10-0 lead and which ended with the Bulldogs (2-6, 0-2 SJBL) down 19-8 – while Smith was held to just a third-quarter 3-pointer, one of only two Dove Creek long-range makes compared to seven for Ignacio (5-0, 2-0).
Up next, Dove Creek will host Nucla at 8:30 p.m. next Friday night.