The Bayfield High School boys basketball team tipped off the season against Kirtland Central on Monday night in New Mexico. The Wolverines struggled to score and lost 67-36.
The Wolverines (0-1) were led by 6-foot-2 junior Quintan Hunter with 10 points. Isaac Ross had seven.
BHS got off to a slow start and trailed 21-8 after the opening quarter and 33-16 at halftime.
“We got in some foul trouble early, and that didn’t help us, and it’s just the first game and the day right after break,” BHS head coach Klint Chandler said. “We turned the ball over too many times and didn’t get after it on rebounding. They fought hard, there’s no doubt about that, but we still have some work to do on our offensive sets.”
In the second half, the Broncos (1-0) continued to put up steady numbers, as they outscored the Wolverines 16-7 in the third quarter and 18-12 in the fourth.
The Wolverines are a young squad with only one senior in Larenz Wilbourn, and four other players have limited varsity experience. Last season, the Wolverines reached the first round of the CHSAA Class 3A state playoffs and lost to Delta.
“I think we’re going to be alright, but we’re young,” Chandler said. “The only ones that have had experience are Casey and Crosby Edwards, and they were part of the four swing players that played JV and varsity last year. We’re a very athletic bunch, and I think leaning on that will be big for us later in the season. I told them after the game tonight that we’ve got to make sure we’re getting better each and every day. We have to learn from our mistakes and be sure that we don’t continue to make them.”
The Wolverines will face Kent Denver at 7 p.m. Friday in the first round of the Herman Schayes Tournament in Denver.
bploen@ durangoherald.com
