Jeff Lehnnus wanted to test the Bayfield High School boys basketball team by bringing the Wolverines to the Buena Vista tournament.

They passed with flying colors in their opener against the host Demons on Friday, winning 74-65 behind double-digit scoring from five players, led by senior Preston Hardy’s 26.

“Beating Buena Vista at Buena Vista was a quality win,” Lehnus said.

The team’s second game against CHSAA Class 3A No. 5 Jefferson Academy proved too challenging Saturday, however. BHS (2-1) lost 56-43 after trailing by just six at the start of the fourth quarter.

“I have to give credit to the other team. They played good, hard, man (man-to-man) ‘D’ – we didn’t execute as well,” Lehnus said. “We didn’t execute as well as we could do.”

Playing without their starting point guard didn’t help the Wolverines. Senior Conner Kennedy couldn’t go because of a high ankle sprain, which hurt Bayfield’s rotation in addition to its execution.

“I think fatigue hit us,” Lehnus said. “One loss on our rotation of our guards.”

Junior Zane Phelps was the only Wolverine in double figures with 10 points.

Hardy and Dillon Hoselton both scored nine, and Trevor Gabbard had eight for BHS.

“If we execute better and do some things better, I feel good about playing Jefferson Academy if we see them again,” Lehnus said. “I feel good about our progress, but we’ve got more progress to make.”

heraldsports@durangoherald.com