A new era of Bluejays basketball tipped off in Cortez Friday afternoon at the Four Corners Classic, hosted by Montezuma-Cortez.
Mike Glovers scrappy Mancos team played three games, most against larger schools.
The Bluejays came away with a 1-2 record, losing to Bayfield, 49-41 and Monticello (Utah), 47-29, and then cruising past Shiprock (N.M.) Northwest, 61-46, to conclude the tournament. The win over Northwest was the first as Mancos coach for Glover.
Its nice to get that first win for sure, he said. We felt like we played really well last night (against Bayfield). We felt like we played well the first half against Monticello. Were inexperienced, but the kids are learning to play through adversity, play together, still learning to figure me out and their new roles. Well be all right.
Adversity struck quick Friday when senior captain Trey Gordanier sprained his right ankle early against Bayfield and did not return for the rest of the tournament.
I think we played through it, but hes definitely a big part of our team, Mancos senior Kenny Philpot said. It will be nice to have him back.
Mancos and Bayfield played neck-and-neck in the first half with the Wolverines mostly leading the way. But Philpot kept his team close and Mancos grabbed its first lead at 11-10 late in the first quarter, but then Bayfield ripped off seven straight points. Philpot brought his team to within one at 17-16 after a layup and a 3-pointer, which came off an assist from Branson Mitchell.
Bayfield point guard Cody Rose drove the length of the floor in eight seconds, hitting a baseline leaner at the buzzer to give the Wolverines a 27-22 lead at halftime.
To start the third quarter, the Bluejays closed the gap fast after a Philpot free throw, then Kolton Miller found twine with a 3-pointer off glass to make the score just 27-26.
Bayfield clung to a 34-33 lead, but a steal by Mancos led to fast break points when Mitchell was found for the breakaway hoop and the harm. Mitchell missed the free throw but Mancos led 35-34, and thats where the score stood at the end of the third, setting up a wild fourth quarter.
Rose drained a shot from trey-ville on the left corner to put the Wolverines back on top 37-35.
Mancos came back with consecutive layups and regained the lead, 39-37.
Rose then responded with two free-throws to tie the game at 39 with just over five minutes remaining.
Derek Hillyer received the ball down low for a layup to give the Wolverines a 41-39 lead at the 3:23 mark.
Philpot stepped up again with a 12-foot jumper to knot the score at 41 all, but Hillyer made another easy layup off an assist from Rose to give Bayfield the lead for good.
Mancos didnt score again, as the 3A Wolverines pulled away.
Philpot led Mancos with 18.
Ive always been able to do it (make outside shots), I prefer to go to the basket rather than shoot outside, said Philpot about his offensive style.
Rose had game high 21 points for Bayfield, while Hillyer scored 20.
On Saturday, after getting roughed up by the Buckaroos of Monticello, the Bluejays flew by the Falcons of Shiprock Northwest, soaring to a 31-17 halftime lead.
Mancos didnt let off the gas in the second half on the way to a 15-point win.
Mitchell had a career high 19 points, and Philpot and Jake Driver poured in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Bluejays (1-2) will open 2A/1A San Juan Basin League play on Friday at home versus Ouray at 7:30 p.m. Mancos plays at Ridgway Saturday at 5:30.
We dont feel like weve reached anywhere close to our full potential this weekend at all. We got a lot of stuff we got to work on and clean up, Glover said. We got four hard days of practice to get ready for Friday night.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.