After dropping a four-point game to Ridgway on Dec. 14, the Mancos High School boys basketball made sure to leave nothing to chance.
BLUEJAYS BLOW OUT
SHIPROCK NORTHWEST
Opening last week with a road contest against Shiprock Northwest on Dec. 17, the Bluejays looked absolutely dominant, cruising to a 78-61 victory.
Keying the Bluejays victory was a strong first half that Mancos open up a 41-23 lead, courtesy of strong play by junior Daniel Christiansen and sophomore Ro Paschal.
Consistently out-muscling Shiprock Northwest players underneath, Christiansen totaled 16 points, while Paschal scored 23 in the victory.
BLUEJAYS DESTROY
DOLORES
Looking to build on their early-week victory, the Bluejays hosted the Dolores Bears on Dec. 20, recording their second straight blowout victory, 82-40.
Clearly motivated to begin the contest, Mancos came out on fire, racing to a 27-5 lead by the end of the first quarter and a 44-13 lead at the half.
"The kids just came out ready to play," said Bluejays' head coach Rodney Cox. "They really rebounded an ran the ball well in the first quarter."
Keying the Mancos attack for the second consecutive game, Christiansen scored 18 points and Paschal had 10.
"Those big guys inside are really tough to match up with," said Cox.
Also getting in on the scoring for the Bluejays were senior guard Nigel Henry (17 points) and junior big man Brandon Hood-Farley (10 points).
"I think the kids are starting to believe in themselves a little bit more," said Cox, assessing his team's performance. "They are starting to believe in the system a little bit."
With their season record now at 5-2, the Bluejays will break for Christmas before returning to action at home against Dove Creek on Jan. 10.
The Bluejays later travel to Dolores on Feb. 22 to again face the rival Bears.
"I think that Dolores had an off night and we had an on night," said Cox, discussing the significance of his team's blowout victory over the Bears. "That game won't happen again."
