Three quarters through what has proven to be a difficult season, the Dove Creek High School boys basketball team continues to struggle.

Bulldogs fall to Durango JV

Matching up against the Durango junior varsity on Feb. 4, the Bulldogs flashed moments of brilliance during a 57-33 loss.

After struggling to score points during a first quarter that ended with Durango leading 13-2, the Bulldogs began finding a rhythm in the second and third quarters.

Entering the fourth quarter trailing 36-22, the Bulldogs were unable to limit Durango’s attack however, allowing 21 points during a dismal fourth quarter.

Leading scorers for the Bulldogs included Spencer Gatlin (8 points) and Jordan Ernst (7 points).

Bulldogs overwhelmed by Ridgway

Following up on their road loss to the Durango JV with a Feb. 5 home game against Ridgway, the Bulldogs struggled again, falling 60-28.

Hoping to limit Ridgway’s leading scorer Nathan Hagemeyer, who came in averaging 23.2 points per game, the Bulldogs struggled, falling behind 34-6 at halftime.

Even with the huge halftime deficit however, Bulldogs’ head coach Curtis Garver was not altogether disappointed in his team’s performance.

“I thought we played pretty good defense,” said Garver. “It’s just that our offense got off to a slow start.”

Providing a lone bright spot for the Bulldogs on both ends of the court was Gatlin, who, in addition to limiting Hagemeyer to 19 points, chipped in 15 points of his own.

“We did a good job on the big guy,” said Gatlin. “I think we need to work on our shooting a little bit more.”

With the losses, the Bulldogs dropped to 1-13 on the year with a Feb. 11 home matchup against Dolores next on the schedule.