Hayden boys basketball team falls Friday, plays for 3rd today

The Hayden boys basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Cowboy Shootout Tournament in Meeker on Thursday but fell short in its bid to play in the championship game. The Tigers fell to the host Cowboys, 64-46, a day after beating Altamont, 64-55.

Hayden coach Mike Luppes said Friday’s game was a frustrating loss, in part because his team had a fat first-quarter lead. They were up, 12-4, at one point, but they trailed, 26-16, at halftime.

“We chipped away in the second half and had it down to six at one point, but they played more consistently than we did,” Luppes said. “We played well in the first quarter, got some good screens and rolls. Meeker made adjustments and took it away, though.”

Graig Medvesk and Zach Barnes combined to lead the team, each scoring 11 points. Murphy Smartt added 10.

That game stood in contrast to Hayden’s Thursday night victory against Altamont.

“We were able to push the ball fast breaking, and we dominated in the middle,” Luppes said. “We were able to go to Zach on a very regular basis with screens and rolls.”

Hayden built a huge first-half lead and was up by 22 to start the third quarter. They expanded the advantage even further in the third before inserting reserves to finish the game. Altamont, from Utah, outscored the Tigers, 18-8, in the fourth quarter, but that wasn’t nearly enough to overcome Hayden’s big lead.

Medvesk led the way Thursday with 21 points while Barnes added 18.

The Tigers play at 2:15 p.m. today against Rangely for a chance at third place in the tournament.

3rd period propels Sailors hockey team to win, 4-2

The Steamboat Springs High School hockey team won Friday night, defeating Standley Lake, 4-2. Jon Winkelblech scored on a power play to tie the game at 2 in the second period, then he plugged in another goal in the third period to take the lead. Grant Ehrick scored late in the period to put the game away.

The Sailors return to action at 6 p.m. today in a game at Mullen.