This season, few San Juan Basin League teams have improved as much as the boys basketball team in Dove Creek. In spite of the Bulldogs improvement however, a talent gap with the area’s top teams remains as evidenced by a 53-37 loss to Mancos in Dove Creek on Feb. 6.

Among those leading the Bluejays to victory was sophomore forward Caden Showalter, who converted scored nine field goals and tallied a game-high 21 points. Quickly improving sophomore Sonny Webb also contributed offensively for Mancos with 10 points.

While Showalter’s size and shooting ability proved to be too much for the Bulldogs to overcome, the game remained close throughout the first half as Mancos led 17-10 at the end of the first quarter and 25-19 at halftime.

Junior Ryan Martinez led a balanced Dove Creek scoring attack with 11 points and junior Kieron Huskey scored nine. Eight Bulldogs players scored at least one basket in the contest.

Mancos improved to 11-4 overall and 6-3 in the San Juan Basin League with the win. Dove Creek dropped to 4-12 overall and 1-7 in the San Juan Basin League with the loss.

With the conclusion of the regular season quickly approaching, the Bulldogs’ next game will take place in Nucla on Feb. 8, while the Bluejays next contest will take place in Norwood on Feb. 9.