Bulldog Cody Jones #20 finishes off a drive for two points during the Bulldogs 56-49 loss to the Cowboys from Chaparral High School Thursday night in the Dawg House. Photo by Lou Martin
Chaparral rallies to defeat Bulldog boy squad 56-49
The Virgin Valley High School basketball team came out firing Thursday night against a good Chaparral High School team but could not sustain the momentum. The Dawgs scored 20 points in an aggressive first period offense but could only manage 29 points in the remaining three periods losing to the Cowboys 56-49. Bulldog center led the Dawgs with a double-double 10 points and 12 boards. Marcus Saunders added 10 points, eight coming in the first period. Jarett Tietjen, the smallest player on the floor added 7 boards to the Bulldog cause.
Saunders led the Dawgs in the first period with 8 points and reserve Hogan Fowles hit five quarter ending points to spark the Bulldogs off the bench. The Dawgs had opportunity shots underneath but could not buy a basket which kept the game close 20-19 after one period.
The second period was a lesson in futility as neither team could sustain the first period pace. The Dawgs managed only six points in the period, four by point guard Tietjen but held the lead at the break 26-25, as the Cowboys threw up brick after brick from three point range. The Cowboys had only two points after 6 ½ minutes of play but cut the Dawgs 26-21 lead to one on a full court press.
Inside men Burnside and reserve Keegan Biasi kept the Dawgs close with four points each in the third period of play. Biasi energy sparked the Dawgs as they only trailed 40-38 after three periods.
The Cowboys finally started hitting three balls and jumped out to a 53-45 advantage with 2:42 minutes remaining in the game. Missed layups and point shots continued to plague the Bulldogs offensive output during the period. Also contributing to the loss were free throws as the Dawgs managed only 2 for 9 from the line. The Dawgs could not manage to offset the Cowboys offensive boards in the waning minutes and lost 56-49. You could see the frustration in the face of Bulldog Coach Sean FitzSimons as the game ended. “We needed a win on our home court,” said FitzSimons after the Game. “In this league you need to win at home and steal a win on the road if you want to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. We have a non-league game Saturday afternoon against Pahranaghat Valley and need to regroup at Desert Pines next week in Vegas.”
The Dawgs will begin a road trip of four games before returning on January 27 to host Del Sol High School. The Dawgs’ league record now stands at 3-2.
Lady Bulldogs lose first league game of season to Cowboys 54-39
Despite making 18 free throws out of 31 attempts, the Virgin Valley High School Lady Dawgs fell to the Chaparral High School Cowboys 54-39. The Dawgs trailed most of the game. Bulldog center Kourtney Metzger led the Dawgs with 10 points followed by Emma Barnum and Spencer Green with 8 points each. Also contributing were starters Bernice Fiso and Briana Todd with 7 and 6 points respectively. The Dawgs’ league record fell to 4-1 and third place in league play behind Chaparral and Boulder City. The Dawgs host Pahranaghat Valley Saturday at 4 pm before returning to league play Friday January 16 hosting Desert Pines. The Jaguars are 3-1 in league play behind the Dawgs.
