DAKOTA RIDGE 48
PUEBLO COUNTY 44
(1/3/09)

BY MARTY CESARIO

Both schools were still on holiday break. Each team just squeezed in practices the previous day. It was snowing in Jeffco. And the Hornets just logged two hours in a bus. Did any of that matter? Tough call. But I can say... ... it was Coach CURI YUTZY's Eagles who were ready to rock at the tip. Dakota jumped up 11-0 with a controlled half-court offense and dominance at the glass. CAMERON PRITCHETT was a beast on the boards at both sides of the court. CORY LOUPEE impressed me with some great work that won't show in the stats-- Solid "D" and good looks to back-side cutters. And JOHN SHERMAN came strong off the bench scoring 8 points in the 1st half while helping the other Dakota bigs hold down County stud TY CRESWELL to just 2 points through the opening two quarters. Blow-out, right? Not so fast. After falling way behind early, County coach, MARVIN BROWN, sicking his guards on the Dakota dribblers. Great adjustment in a game that clearly wasn't going to feature outside shooting. DANNY VIGIL came in and consistently created turnovers allowing fast break opportunities for the Hornets. MARCUS STOUT and PAT VIGIL also pressured well. Meanwhile, LUCAS VIGIL started driving the hole for lay-ups or kick-out passes to shooters like GARRETT HANNAFIOUS. Pueblo County outscored Dakota Ridge in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and evenutally tied the game with 1:40 remaining in the game. The Eagles held off the rush, though. PRITCHETT battled for a lay-up underneath then made a timely steal on the other end... LOGAN SMITH, who just checked in, nailed two crucial free throws in the final seconds... you could almost hear a collective "Phew!" from Dakota players and fans. PRITCHETT, our Skate City Player-of-the Game, with 9 pts and 10 rebounds, exhaled, "Man, that was ugly, huh?" But in a game that demanded perseverence through defense and hustle... Eagles got it done.

Final: Dakota Rige over Pueblo County 48-44. DR (4-5): SHERMAN 12, LOUPEE10. PC (4-4): HANNAFIOUS14, CRESSWELL 12.