For fans who enjoy non-stop action, dramatic finishes and late game heroics, the Dove Creek Bulldogs girls basketball is a must see.
Kicking off another exciting week of action in Durango on Feb. 4, the Bulldogs bested the Durango JV 49-45 in an exciting back and forth contest.
As if one night of drama was not enough, the Bulldogs then returned home and engaged in another nail-biter, beating Ridgway 43-42 in one of the more exciting games of the year.
After jumping out to a 12-11 after one quarter, Dove Creek ran into problems in the second, yielding several uncontested layups after Ridgway attacked the backside of the Bulldogs’ 2-3 zone and built 25-19 halftime lead.
Battling back as they have all season, the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 31-30 entering the fourth quarter, setting the stage for fireworks to begin.
As seconds ticked off the clock, players from both sides fought to gain control andafter a pretty old fashioned three-point play by Bulldogs’ senior Madison Young, the score stood deadlocked, 37-37.
Undeterred by a questionable fifth foul assessed to Young, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 39-37 after consecutive free throws by Jessica Guynes, only to see Ridgway retake the lead 40-39 on a three pointer by Grace Benasutti.
Turning to clutch senior Ana Lee with the game on the line, the Bulldogs again retook the lead, 41-40, after a strong move by Lee resulted in a layup plus a foul.
Unable to convert the free throw, Lee and her Bulldogs teammates retreated on defense, only to see Ridgway’s Haley Crozier drill a tough jumper from the left elbow to put her team ahead 42-41 with 20 seconds left.
Determined to secure the win however, Bulldogs’ senior Corissa Guynes fearlessly drove to the basket and after getting fouled, stepped to the line for two free throws.
“I had to make those two,” said Corissa Guynes. “We’ve been practicing (free throws) all year.
Make them Guynes did as each free throw caromed off the glass and into the basket to put the Bulldogs ahead 43-42, a lead that they would maintain the rest of the contest.
Asked following the game what allows the Bulldogs to consistently perform well in the clutch, Corissa Guynes was frank.
“All of us know that we have to step it up and everybody does their part,” Corissa Guynes said.
With the wins, the Bulldogs improved to 12-2 on the year and now sit alone atop the San Juan Basin League standings.
“Tonight, what I really liked is that we played disciplined offense,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Jim Buffington after his team’s latest win. “I’m really happy.”