OAK CREEK — Thursday wasn’t the best example, at least not early.

Soroco High School boys basketball coach Shawn Hayes said he’s seen plenty he likes from his squad in the first half of the season and that he’s hoping a soft schedule that awaits right around the corner can show that progress off more effectively than Thursday night’s home game against Vail Christian did.

The Saints didn’t leave much room for improvement in this one, dominating in an 86-36 victory.

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Vail took the momentum from the start, scoring the first 17 points, and it kept the pressure on through at the first three quarters, scoring at least 21 points in each.

“Tonight was pretty tough. This is the first team we’ve faced that plays that fast, that quick, and it was a shock,” Hayes said. “We didn’t take care of it mentally.”

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It was in some ways a step back for the Rams, now 2-9 on the season and 0-5 in the Western Slope League. The team was much more competitive earlier this week in a 70-62 loss against Vail Mountain, and last weekend in a 70-42 loss against Paonia.

“They care. They care about what’s going on,” Hayes said.

Thursday, Grant Redmond led Soroco with nine points. Colton Stroup scored eight. Sebastian Moritz led Vail Christian with 19 points. Bryan Trujillo scored 17.

The good news is the schedule will lighten some, at very least over the next week.

Soroco travels Saturday to play at Caprock Academy, winless this season. Then Tuesday it plays at home against 3-5 North Park.

“There are some teams that we have on the back half that I know as a coach we’re able to take care of,” Hayes said. “If we play within our selves, play with confidence, there’s not a team on this back half we can’t beat.”

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9.