The Mancos Bluejays scored six straight points to take a late 41-40 lead Saturday.
Mancos didnt score again.
Alex Goodwin put back a Tyler Weir miss and captain Cody Carroll went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line in the final minutes. Dolores went on to beat the rival Bluejays at home Saturday night, 46-41, in another classic. The loud sellout crowd was a blackout for the home team.
We worked hard all week coming out hard in the man-to-man. We knew it was going to start clicking, said Dolores coach Larry Schwartz about his defensive game plan. That man-to-man defense worked pretty good against Mancos. Hats off to (Mancos) coach (Mike) Glovers team. Thats two great battles in a row. Its a great rivalry. Were just happy to be on this side of it tonight. Im psyched!
Revenge tasted sweet for the Bears (5-10, 3-6 2A/1A San Juan Basin League), who snapped a four-game losing streak to the Bluejays (6-8, 5-4 SJBL). Dolores had lost six straight contests overall, including a 55-49 setback at Mancos on Jan. 13.
I feel amazing. Just, completely amazing, said Weir, who stated his team would beat Mancos at home after losing on the road Jan. 13. This is the first time Ive beat Mancos. Theyre our biggest rival and we finally got the job done.
The Bluejays came in on a three-game winning streak, including a 57-33 win at Nucla Friday night. The Bluejays led the Bears 25-19 at halftime after trailing by nine early.
Nigel Henry and Trey Gordanier spearheaded a 15-0 Mancos run to give the visitors a 22-16 second quarter lead. Carroll stopped the run with a layup for Dolores. The two rivals played even from there and into the locker room.
In the third quarter, the Bears came out growling and roared to a 10-3 run, taking a 29-28 lead. Austin Blackmer and Carroll keyed the run. It was back-and-forth from that point on.
After a Weir free throw gave Dolores a 2-point lead, Henry confidently stepped back and hit a 3-pointer to regain the lead for Mancos at 31-30. Branson Mitchell put back a Henry miss the next offensive possession, and the Bluejays were up 33-30.
Back came Carroll.
The junior point guard sank two foul shots and then made a 3 at the third quarter horn. Dolores was back in front 35-33 heading into the fourth.
Weir opened the last quarter with a three-point-play to give the Bears a 38-33 lead. The home sea of black erupted in ecstasy.
However, Mike Glovers visiting boys in blue werent done. Mancos answered with an 8-2 run to take a 1-point lead with two minutes to go. Seniors Gordanier and Kenny Philpot stepped up with shots in pressure situations. Mitchells put back gave the Bluejays a 41-40 lead.
Goodwins put back on the other end made the score 42-41 Dolores.
The last 90 seconds came down to who could be the more mentally tough team. That was the Bears.
Things unraveled from there for Mancos. Gordanier missed two free throws at the 1:20 mark, then he turned the ball over the next trip down the floor. Carroll sank free throws off each Mancos miscue to secure the win and a hometown celebration.
Dolores came out and they were ready to play. We knew they were going to be. Their captains played well, Glover said. Their leaders stepped up when they needed them to.
Carroll had a game high 18 points and shot 8 of 9 at the foul line. Blackmer scored 11 and Weir chipped in 10 points.
Its a great win. We just worked hard in practice and stuck to our game plan, Blackmer said. Its amazing. The crowd yelling, it just gives you butterflies every time you walk out here.
Henry led the Bluejays with 17 points, while Gordanier and Mitchell recorded eight and six points, respectively.
We kind of shot ourselves out of the game, Mitchell said. We were making the layups, making the free throws, those easy shots that can change a game. Then were forcing up 3s and just not really taking care of the ball. I dont know why, then we all of a sudden had trouble with the layups. We just got to make our shots, and tonight, we didnt rebound very well.
Mancos hosts Navajo Prep (Farmington, N.M.) tonight at 6:30 p.m. in a nonconference game.
Dolores steps out of conference at 3A Bayfield tonight at 7 p.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at [email protected].
