February is here, and that means the end of some winter sports is on the horizon.
By the end of the month, the high school basketball regular seasons will be over, and local teams will have to win a few games in the playoffs to keep playing into March. The high school wrestling season will be done in a few weeks after the top wrestlers compete in Ball Arena in Denver. High School hockey will also be done for Durango at the end of the month.
Therefore, with the end in sight, there’s no better time than now to get out to some local home games to support student-athletes. The Durango High School boys and girls basketball teams have home games on Friday and Saturday, along with the Bayfield High School boys and girls basketball teams having home games on Friday.
Fort Lewis College’s men’s and women’s basketball teams’ regular seasons will also end in February, with the Skyhawks on the road this week as they continue to strengthen their positions in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings.
Here’s the local sports schedule for the upcoming week:
Thursday: Women’s basketball at Adams State at 5:30 p.m.
Notes: The Skyhawks are looking to bounce back after a tough 76-66 home loss to MSU Denver on Saturday. The loss dropped FLC to 13-7 overall and 6-6 in the RMAC. FLC had the lead heading into the fourth quarter, but was outscored 30-18. It was a tough step back after FLC defeated Colorado School of Mines on Thursday.
Adams State enters the matchup with the Skyhawks red hot, winning its last seven games, including a 71-65 win at home against New Mexico Highlands on Tuesday. The win elevated the Grizzlies’ record to 18-5 overall and 12-1 in conference play, with the only loss being a 40-point blowout at home against Colorado Mesa.
The Skyhawks and Grizzlies have met before, with Adams State winning 78-50 at FLC on Dec. 13. FLC was outscored 23-4 in the first quarter as it could only get its offense going in the third quarter. Kiiyani Anitelu led the Grizzlies with 23 points in that game.
This could be a crucial game for the Skyhawks’ RMAC tournament hopes. FLC is currently tied for eighth in the conference standings, and eight teams make it to the conference tournament. FLC has rarely punched above its weight this season, with the win against Colorado School of Mines being the only win against a team ahead in the conference standings for the Skyhawks.
Men’s basketball at Adams State at 7:30 p.m.
Notes: The Skyhawks are still hotter than the surface of the sun after their 101-72 home win against MSU Denver on Saturday. FLC forced 33 turnovers and improved to 14-5 overall and 12-0 in the RMAC. The Skyhawks have won nine consecutive games and are off to their best start to conference play in program.
Adams State enters the matchup with FLC after winning four consecutive games, including a 92-79 win at home against New Mexico Highlands on Tuesday night. The Grizzlies are 14-7 overall and 8-5 in the RMAC.
These teams have already faced off this season, with the Skyhawks winning 94-85 at home on Dec. 13. The Skyhawks forced the Grizzlies into 26 turnovers, and FLC was led by redshirt sophomore Stewart Erhart’s 21 points.
That was a different Skyhawk team, since it was before junior guard Yorgio Golesis tore his ACL, ending his season. FLC hasn’t missed a beat with Erhart taking over the starting point guard role, and freshman guard Trey Curry coming in mid-season. FLC is 8-0 with Curry in the lineup.
The Skyhawks’ success has started to get some attention, with FLC receiving votes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll. FLC can’t afford a loss if it wants to get into the top 25 and keep its three-game lead in the RMAC standings.
Friday: Softball vs. Oklahoma Baptist University at 10:30 a.m. at the UCO-OC Classic in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Softball vs. No. 11 University of Central Oklahoma at 3 p.m. at the UCO-OC Classic in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Saturday: Softball vs. Cameron University at 12:15 p.m. at the UCO-OC Classic in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Women’s basketball at New Mexico Highlands at 1 p.m.
Men’s basketball at New Mexico Highlands at 3 p.m.
Softball at No. 25 Oklahoma Christian University at 4:45 p.m. at the UCO-OC Classic in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Sunday: Softball vs. Eastern New Mexico at 11 a.m. at the UCO-OC Classic in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Thursday: Bayfield boys wrestling at Cross Mountain Matchups
Bayfield girls wrestling at Cross Mountain Duel
Ignacio boys, girls wrestling league meet
Friday: Durango Alpine skiing hosts giant slalom event at Purgatory Resort at 10 a.m.
Durango boys wrestling vs. Olathe, Montrose Tri at Montrose High School at 5 p.m.
Durango girls basketball vs. Grand Junction Central at 5:30 p.m.
Bayfield girls basketball vs. Alamosa at 5:30 p.m.
Durango girls swimming and diving at WSL Championships at 6 p.m.
Durango boys basketball vs. Grand Junction Central at 7 p.m.
Bayfield boys basketball vs. Alamosa at 7 p.m.
Durango boys ice hockey vs. Battle Mountain at 7 p.m.
Saturday: Durango boys wrestling at league tri with Fruita/Chatfield at Fruita Monument High School
Durango girls swimming and diving at WSL Championships at 10:30 a.m.
Durango girls basketball vs. Palisade at noon
Ignacio boys basketball at Pagosa Springs at 1 p.m.
Ignacio girls basketball at Pagosa Springs at 2:30 p.m.
Durango boys ice hockey vs. Battle Mountain at 12:30 p.m.
Durango boys basketball vs. Palisade at 1:30 p.m.
Bayfield girls basketball at Centauri at 2:30 p.m.
Bayfield boys basketball at Centauri at 4 p.m.
