Trailing San Juan High School 35-22 entering the fourth quarter, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys basketball team appeared to be headed toward a loss.
Thanks to some clutch shooting and defensive stands, the Panthers defeated the Broncos 47-39 at home on Jan. 9.
“I told our players, ‘You’re going to have to learn to fight through some adversity and come out with a win,’” said M-CHS head coach Michael Hall. “The boys fought hard. They wanted it more than (San Juan) did.”
Keying the Panthers fourth-quarter run was senior Hayden Plewe, who brought the crowd to its feet with three consecutive three-point field goals. Plewe scored 10 of his team-high 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Also contributing for M-CHS during the fourth quarter were senior Jonathan Walck and freshman Jasen Engel, who each hit one three-pointer and one layup during the final 8 minutes. Both players scored 7 points in the game.
“It’s nice to have a freshman like Jason Engel who can come in and give us these kind of minutes,” Hall said. “He started the season on JV. I can tell you right now that this kid can flat out shoot the ball.”
M-CHS trailed 28-15 at halftime. Hall said that the large deficit was due, in large part, to 17 first-half turnovers.
“The second quarter, we just had turnover after turnover and missed a bunch of easy layups,” said Hall. “We only turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter, and that made the difference.”
With its record at 4-3 on the season, M-CHS will next play against Pagosa Springs at home on Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
“I’m hoping that we can get our fast break established,” said Hall. “I want to see these boys keep fighting and come away with another win. It’s difficult because they are learning a whole new system, but they are working hard.”