Two weeks after taking league-leading Ignacio to overtime, the Dolores girls’ basketball team is struggling to regain its mojo.
The Lady Bears tough weekend began with a home game against Norwood (13-3 overall, 9-1 in SJBL) on Feb. 9, which resulted in a 51-12 loss.
Dolores began the lopsided contest on a high note when freshman McKenzie Howerton banked in a three-pointer from the right wing to give Dolores a 3-2 lead less than one minute into the first quarter.
After that, it was all Mavericks however, as the visiting team consistently looked to senior Macie Magallon, who scored a game-high 21 points.
So overwhelmed were the Lady Bears by Magellon that Sierra Schwartz could only shake her head and chuckle after 6-foot Norwood senior spiked the Dolores junior’s shot of bounds early in the second quarter.
Later in first half, Magellon showed her range by stepping beyond the three-point line on an out-of-bounds play and draining a three-pointer from the right corner to put Norwood ahead 25-8.
The three-pointer caused Tiffany Hill to pull four of her five starters from the game and for roughly two minutes. The Dolores head coach could be seen spiritedly speaking with her players on the bench.
The pep talk didn’t work well, however, as Magellon scored seven straight points to open the third quarter and put Nucla ahead 37-8.
(Magallon’s) height made her hard to guard,” said Dolores Kortni Spurlock. “We weren’t using the right moves to get around her. We were supposed to fake and go around and we didn’t. We just chalk it up to another took in the tool box, and we’ll do better next time.
The rest of the second half was highlighted by the Lady Bears roll players, including freshman Brenn Jeter, who deflected several Norwood passes and registered two steals.
“I try to hustle and work hard,” Jeter said. “I try to bring our attitude to where we’re all playing as a team.”
Leading Dolores in scoring were Howerton and sophomore Morgaine Milligin, who scored three points each. The Lady Bears’ leading scorer, Madi Archuleta, failed to record a point.
Following up their loss to Norwood, the Lady Bears hit the road to take on Ridgway (6-10 overall, 5-5 in SJBL), and lost 64-35.
Ridgway freshman Geri-June Hall led Ridgway with 23 points as four Demons players scored in double figures.
The Lady Bears will look to right the ship when they travel to face Mancos (4-12 overall, 2-9 in SJBL) on Feb. 17.