The Mancos Blue Jays outscored the Bayfield Wolverines 19-18 in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s game.
But it was all but over by then.
The Wolverines kicked off the evening in a 2-2-1 press and used Hunter Killough’s eight first-quarter points to jump out to a 26-12 lead to start the second.
“They were just really aggressive,” said Mancos head coach Rodney Cox. “Pressed well, trapped everything, everywhere. That’s probably the best team we’ve played all year.”
In the second quarter, the Wolverines profited from their size advantage and went to work inside. And without the presence of 6-foot-5 senior Ro Paschal – who was sidelined with an ankle injury – Mancos allowed 10 points to Bayfield center Ryan Phelps and entered the half down 47-24.
Cox said that the Blue Jays tried several different ways to combat Bayfield’s size advantage, but that none of them seemed to work.
“It’s just hard when they’re that much bigger than you,” he said. “Even when their subs come in they outweigh us by 60 pounds. That’s a good ball club. Their posts finish well, they post up well, they move the ball well and they shoot well.”
Bayfield’s lead grew to 34 in the third quarter and they would roll on to an 84-51 win.
Taed Heydinger led the Wolverines with 20 points – connecting on 6-of-7 three-point attempts – Phelps scored 16 and Killough added 13.
The Blue Jays were led by Andrew Plunkett’s 16 points, Adrian Hernandez scored 12, Andrew Christensen added 10, and Caleb Yoder chipped in six.
Even in the blowout-loss, Cox saw positives from his team.
“I think our turnovers were limited,” he explained. “And I see a lot of growth from our guys that didn’t get any experience last year. I’ve seen a lot of growth and they’re starting to not make the same mistakes over and over again. They’re just starting to loosen up a little bit.”
After falling to Bayfield – and with previous losses to two CHSAANow ranked 2A teams in No. 6 Center (8-1) and No. 4 Ignacio (8-1) – the Blue Jays are on a three-game losing streak.
But they hope to bounce back against Norwood (7-3) in a home contest on Thursday night.
