Nearly every time the Bluejays got the ball to Cadin Showalter, he bulled his way through defenders and found a way to score. The result was 31 points for the star freshman and a 76-34 win for Mancos over Ridgway on Feb. 4.
“I brought high intensity,” Showalter said. “I knew I was stronger than them and bigger. I just used that against them.”
Among Showalter’s impressive plays were consecutive buckets to open the game in which the freshman showcased his power and scored despite hard fouls by Ridgway defenders. After both plays, Showalter stepped to the line and drained his free throw.
Later in the first quarter, the freshman showcased his defensive prowess and smarts when he alertly trapped a Ridgway guard in the backcourt before deflecting the ensuing pass, hustling to collect the loss ball, and scoring along the baseline, to put his team ahead 12-3.
Clearly energized by their big-man’s effort and energy, Mancos raced to a 38-16 halftime lead.
“I thought that our offense was much better tonight,” said Mancos head coach Ed Aiken. “We’ve been working on moving the ball and finding mismatches and tonight, our team turned the corner.”
Determined to slow Showalter in the second half, Ridgway double teamed and triple teamed the Mancos big man on nearly every play. The Bluejays took advantage however, as Caleb Yoder drilled two of his game-high five three-pointers early in the third quarter to put Mancos ahead 48-18.
“Our inside game helps a ton,” said Yoder, when asked about the key to his shooting. “What really opens the looks up high is when you can get the whole defense to suck down and collapse. We were able to finish shots from long range.”
Mancos continued to pour it on from long range as Griff Huver and Yoder each knocked down three-pointers.
In addition to Showalter’s 31 points, the Bluejays received 19 points from Yoder, nine points from Anthony Medina, eight points from Jake McKie, and five points from Huver. Jimmy Saville led Ridgway in scoring with 16 points.
Mancos (5-10 overall, 2-6 in SJBL) will next play at home against Dove Creek (0-10 overall, 0-7 in SJBL) on Feb. 7.
