Steamboat beats Moffat County, maintains league advantage
Steamboat Springs High School boys basketball player Charles Wood goes up for a layup during the second half of Steamboat's game Tuesday night against rival Moffat County at Kelly Meek Gymnasium. The Sailors won, 44-32.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
- Dec. 5, Steamboat 48, Roaring Fork 34 at Roaring Fork Tournament; (1-0)
- Dec. 6, Steamboat 53, Basalt 36 at Roaring Fork Tournament; (2-0)
- Dec. 11, Castle View 57, Steamboat 38 at Steamboat ShootOut tournament; (2-1)
- Dec. 12, Steamboat 70, Summit 41 at Steamboat ShootOut tournament; (3-1)
- Dec. 13, Green River, Wyo., 68, Steamboat 41 at Steamboat ShootOut tournament; (3-2)
- Dec. 18, at Flaming Gorge Classic basketball tournament; (3-3)
- Dec. 19, Evanston, Wyo. 49, Steamboat 37 at Flaming Gorge Classic basketball tournament; (3-4)
- Dec. 20, Cheyenne East 41, Steamboat 38 at Flaming Gorge Classic basketball tournament; (3-5)
- Jan. 9, Steamboat 46, Battle Mountain 23; (4-5)
- Jan. 10, Steamboat 55, Eagle Valley 30; (5-5)
- Jan. 16, Steamboat 78, Palisade 46; (6-5)
- Jan. 17, Steamboat 66, Delta 37; (7-5)
- Jan. 23, Steamboat 65, Rifle 38; (8-5)
- Jan. 24, Steamboat 47, Glenwood Springs 45; (9-5)
- Jan. 27, Steamboat 44, Moffat County 32;(10-5)
- Jan. 30, Steamboat 63, Eagle Valley 41;(11-5)
- Feb. 6, Steamboat 50, Palisade 44;(12-5)
- Feb. 7, Steamboat 54, Delta 43;(13-5)
- Feb. 13, Steamboat 54, Rifle 45;(14-5)
- Feb. 14, Glenwood Springs 61, Steamboat 51;(14-6)
- Feb. 17 vs. Moffat County, 7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 20 at Battle Mountain, 7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 25 state playoffs begin
Steamboat Springs High School boys basketball player Jack Spady takes a jump shot during the first half of Tuesday night's game against Moffat County. The Sailors won, 44-32.
Some things may have changed about the program, but the philosophy and foundation of the Steamboat Springs High School boys basketball team still revolves around defense.
It was never more evident than in Tuesday's matchup against rival Moffat County.
Steamboat's defense bothered Moffat County all night, and the Sailors ran away with a 44-32 win in Kelly Meek Gymnasium. The win kept Steamboat at the top of the Western Slope League standings.
Steamboat held Moffat County to 25 percent (11-of-44) shooting from the field and limited the Bulldogs' leading scorer Chayton Owens to 8 points - almost 14 points below his season average.
"It was huge for us," first-year Steamboat coach Luke DeWolfe said. "We've built this foundation all year with our defense. The kids understand, and it's been a hallmark here for years that everything starts with defense. Our kids have bought into that and it shows."
After a back-and-forth first quarter with Steamboat taking a 12-9 lead, the Sailors began to take over the game.
Steamboat limited Moffat County to one field goal and five points in the second quarter to take a 25-14 lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw much of the same, with Steamboat extending its lead to 33-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
After Alex Wood hit 1 of 2 free throws with 4:13 remaining in the game to give Steamboat a 40-24 advantage, Moffat County showed some signs of life.
It started when Dylon Camilletti stole a pass and went end-to-end for a layup. Thomas Noble then hit a deep 3-pointer to cut the Steamboat lead to 40-29 with 2:55 remaining.
From there, the Sailors played keep-away and sealed the win at the free-throw line.
"Every single game, we've just gotten better," DeWolfe said. "That's been true all year long. We've matured; we understand the game better and are becoming more and more savvy about the mental aspects. We're understanding individual players and what other teams are trying to do against us."
Jack Spady led Steamboat with 17 points. Alex and Charles Wood each chipped in 11. Owens and Noble each scored 8 for Moffat County, while Mike Peters added 7 points.
With the Western Slope League schedule at its halfway point, Steamboat sits on top with a 10-5 overall record and 7-0 record in league play. Moffat County drops to 9-7 overall and 5-2 in league play.
Steamboat next plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Eagle Valley.
- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229
or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com
