Six days removed from winning a state football championship, several of the Bayfield High School boys basketball players returned to competition on the hardwood.

Head coach Jeff Lehnus said he would’ve liked to give those players a week off before getting them in the mix, but a tough tournament at Jefferson Academy wouldn’t allow for such a break. All things considered, the coach was pleased with his team’s effort in a 87-69 loss to Grand Valley on Friday in Broomfield.

“Our guys had three days of practice versus several weeks for other teams,” Lehnus said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “As far as conditioning, remembering everything we do, development and cohesion, I wasn’t discouraged and was pleased with some things.”

Bayfield (0-1) wasn’t able to play its characteristic lock-down defense and committed 18 turnovers on the other end. But the Wolverines went 16-of-21 from the free-throw line, which was a positive sign.

Senior Taed Heydinger led BHS with 15 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Ryan Phelps had nine points and 10 rebounds, and Lehnus expects him to be a double-double threat every game.

Zane Phelps added 14 points, Hunter Killough finished with 10, and freshman Keyon Prior scored 10 points in his varsity basketball debut for the Wolverines.

Grand Valley (1-0) was a tough opponent and a playoff team a year ago. Lehnus said they only lost one player from last year’s team and had two guards who could shoot from anywhere on the floor.

BHS did win the rebounding battle, Lehnus said.

“The wonderful thing about playing tough competition early in the season is we can see what we need to work on,” Lehnus said. “I couldn’t have asked more of the guys, all things considered.”

BHS will play again at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com