Constructing a 24-9 halftime advantage, the Bayfield High School boys basketball team was able to exit Englewood and Kent Denver’s 10th Annual Herman Schayes Memorial last Saturday afternoon securing their first win this season at The Pinnacle’s expense, 46-26.
Only 5-foot-5 guard Mark Brabec (10 points) managed to reach double figures offensively for the Federal Heights-based Timberwolves, which were devastated 85-35 the previous evening by St. Mary’s, while 6-foot post Daniel Fonseca was held to six points.
And though the game lacked the dramatic flair of a first-night loss to the hosting Sun Devils – BHS later managed to chop an 18-point deficit facing them after the third quarter down to just nine points on two occasions in the fourth – the outcome was just what the squad needed to build upon for this weekend’s Buena Vista Invitational where a Kent Denver-like foe awaits at 4 p.m. Friday.
That would be Greeley-based University, a high-scoring (73 points per game, 54 points against) Patriot League pack checking in at an impressive 4-0 overall after bombing Bennett 93-47 at home Tuesday night.
Blitzing the helpless Tigers 32-5 during the first quarter, University, which is ranked No. 9 in this week’s CHSAANow.com Class 3A poll, boasted four players in double figures, including 6-foot-5 sophomore Tayt Chacon (31 points) and 6-foot-3 junior Alex Martinez (18), when all was said and done.
Considering Sun Devil junior Logan Schayes, a 6-foot-7 son of 6-foot-11 18-year NBA center Danny, managed to barge inside for a game-breaking 17 points after intermission and total 21, the Wolverines’ outside attack could be pressured more to produce in order to relieve stress on frontcourt players such as juniors Quintan Hunter, Hunter Bayles and Zack McSweeney.
And Bayfield (1-2) proved their long-range game viable at the Memorial, totaling 11 3-pointers. Junior guard Kasey Chandler canned a team-high two against Kent Denver en route to a 14-point performance, while junior Crosby Edwards sank four treys and racked up a game-best 16 points – to trail only sophomore Landon Kennedy’s inspiring 20-point night against Kent Denver for BHS’ best output to date – against The Pinnacle.
On Day 2 of the Invitational, Bayfield will face Salida at noon. The Wolverines defeated Salida 50-40 at last season’s event.
Following the tournament, BHS will return to host San Juan on Dec. 19. After going a season-opening 3-0 last weekend at Farmington’s Marv Sanders Invitational, the Broncos improved to 4-0 by outgunning Intermountain League contenders Montezuma-Cortez 86-67 Tuesday night at home.
Long removed from a season-opening loss to Navajo Prep back on Dec. 3, the Wolverines (0-1) will finally resume play and begin their two-day Buena Vista stay facing Denver-based Colorado Academy at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Mustangs stand 1-1 having lost a season-opener to Littleton (3-0) before defeating Denver Christian 49-19 two nights later with junior Ella Freimuth and sophomore Erishai Okra combining for 25 points.
After a short night’s rest, Bayfield will then see Salida at 9 a.m. Saturday hoping not only for victory,but also momentum needed for a Dec. 17 test inside BHS Gymnasium against Monticello, Utah.
The Bucks (2-2) will prep for that engagement by hosting interstate border rival Dove Creek (3-1, 1-0 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) Friday evening.
