The Roaring Fork boys and girls basketball teams were the first to open post-holiday play among area teams, traveling to the Friday-Saturday Wolf Creek Classic tournament in Pagosa Springs.
The girls, playing under first-year head coach Juan Quintero, got off to a good start on the new year Friday, defeating Colorado Springs Christian 41-27, outscoring the Lions in each of the four quarters.
Junior Maya Lindgren led the Rams in scoring with 14 points, and senior Emily Broadhurst added 8 points.
Saturday’s match-up proved to be more challenging for the Rams, as they fell to the Eaton Reds, 43-41.
Up 26-23 at halftime against Eaton, Roaring Fork saw the lead erased in the third quarter when the Reds outscored the Rams 14-8. The Rams had the 7-6 scoring edge in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.
Lindgren again led the team with 12 points, and Broadhurst had 9.
“The team played hard and our defense was great all weekend,” Quintero said. “The team looks very prepared in time to start league play.”
The Rams stand at 6-4 on the season, and open the 3A Western Slope League schedule Jan. 17 at home against Delta. Tip-off will be at 5:30 p.m.
Struggles continue for RF boys
Also playing Colorado Springs Christian and Eaton, the Roaring Fork boys came away from the road trip with two more losses by scores of 67-47 and 59-44, respectively.
Graham Pietch led the team in scoring Saturday with 11 points, while Cesar Torres chipped in 8.
“We are playing hard but we continue to make the same mistakes,” first-year head coach Tony Gross said of his now 1-9 team. “I love their effort, but we just have to play a little smarter and value each possession a little more.”
He added, “We are ready for a home game. We have not had one since the first part of December” when the Rams hosted the annual Brenda Patch tournament.
The Rams open the 3A Western Slope League schedule at home Friday, Jan. 10 versus Gunnison, with tip-off at 7 p.m.
