The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate boys’ basketball team had a tough weekend at the Black Canyon Classic in Montrose, going 0-3 and dropping their overall record to 2-4 heading into the winter break.
“It was a tough weekend overall; we didn’t shoot well from the floor or the free-throw line,” said coach Brandon Forster. “I felt like we were realistically in every game and we had a good chance to win, but you’ve got to be able to hit shots and shoot well from the free-throw line to do anything against those teams.”
The 4A Pirates played a series of 5A teams at the tournament.
The Pirates opened the tournament up on Thursday, Dec. 18, with a 50-38 loss to the Montrose Red Hawks.
After taking a one-point lead after the first quarter, the Pirates were shut out in the second quarter. The Pirates outscored the Red Hawks in the second half and cut the deficit to five, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 14-0 second quarter.
Ty Richey led the Pirates with 14 points, and Bode Hubbard and Creede Dozier each added eight points. Duke Ketchum put up four, and Jerry Dean and Jeremiah Jones tallied two each.
The Pirates landed four of 11 free-throw attempts.
The Pirates rebounded 16 times, compared to Montrose’s 29. The Pirates were led in rebounding by four from Jones and three each from Dozier and Ketchum. Seven Pirates pulled down rebounds in the game.
The Pirates logged six steals and turned the ball over 17 times.
The Pirates then played the Glenwood Springs Demons on Friday, Dec. 19, falling 41-35.
Down just one point at halftime, the Pirates were outscored 14-5 in the third quarter. The Pirates outscored the Demons 10-6 in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough.
Dozier led the Pirates in scoring with 12 points, Hubbard added eight more, and Jones and Koen Pitcher each scored four points. Richey put up three, and Ketchum and Jayton Ross tallied two each.
The team made seven of 20 from the free-throw line.
The Pirates were outrebounded by the Demons 35-19. Seven Pirates rebounded in the game, led by Jones’ five.
The Pirates logged seven steals and turned the ball over nine times.
The Pirates played the Pueblo Central Wildcats in their final game of the tournament on Saturday, Dec. 20, losing 81-52.
Going into this game, coach Forster explained he knew that the Wildcats would be a tough matchup.
After taking a nine-point halftime lead, the Wildcats put up a 30-point third quarter, ballooning their lead to 26.
“In that third quarter, we made adjustments to be out on their shooters, and they still came out and shot the lights out,” said Forster. “It’s one of those things where it kind of just snowballs on you. It’s a fast-paced game and they got up quick, and we just couldn’t find our footing.”
Dozier once again led the Pirates in scoring with 20 points. Richey added 10, Ketchum added eight and Hubbard added seven.
The Pirates were once again outrebounded, finishing with 33 to the Wildcats’ 36. Eight Pirates pulled down rebounds in the matchup, led by six each from Hubbard, Ross and Richey.
The Pirates stole the ball five times and tallied 14 turnovers.
“You don’t get to the top of the ladder without taking it a rung at a time,” Forster said. “Those are just lessons we have to learn. We got to learn how to be in a close game, how to take a lead, and then that next one is how to sustain it.”
The Pirates will look to bounce back on the opening weekend of the new year at the Holy Family Invite.
The Pirates will play their first game back on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Broomfield against the Holy Family Tigers, who are 4-0, at 7:30 p.m.
The following day at 1:30 p.m., the Pirates will take on the Peak to Peak Pumas, who own a 3-3 record.
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
>
