The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate basketball team suffered consecutive losses Jan. 3 and 4 at the Holy Family Invite in Broomfield, falling in nonconference games to opponents coach Wes Lewis called “two really good teams.”
Against the Holy Family Tigers on Jan. 3, the Pirates remained in contention throughout the first and second quarters, outscoring the Tigers in the second and trailing by 11 at the half.
“We were feeling pretty good about things at halftime,” Lewis said.
But a 30-point third quarter for the Tigers left too much ground for the Pirates to regain. By the start of the fourth, the hosts led by 28 points.
“We had some turnovers,” Lewis recalled. “They were capitalizing on our mistakes and they got really hot from the 3-point line. We didn’t shoot very well against Holy Family.”
The Tigers — ranked seventh among other 4A teams, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) — defeated the Pirates 82-42.
The margins were slimmer against undefeated Peak to Peak Charter School on Saturday, with Lewis praising the Pirates’ tenacity and fighting spirit throughout the 45-33 loss.
“I thought the kids fought and they battled,” Lewis said. “We had a big challenge to them about competing. And I think [they] did. Peak to Peak is a good team.”
The Pumas are currently ranked first in 4A, according to CHSAA, while the Pirates are the No. 40 team.
“We kept it respectable,” Lewis said. “But, you know, at the end of the day, we’ve got to make our easy shots, we’ve got to limit turnovers, we’ve got to play better defense.”
Stats from the tournament were not available as of press time Wednesday.
With their Jan. 7 home game versus Sanford rescheduled for Feb. 21, the 1-6 Pirates look to a planned Friday trip to Salida for an opportunity to re-energize the season.
“We just got to keep getting better everyday and hope for improvement toward the end of the season,” Lewis said.
The 3A Spartans are 4-2 on the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Salida.
The Pirates are next scheduled to play at home Jan. 14 versus the Durango Demons. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. start at Pagosa Springs High School.
The Demons are 7-2 on the season.
garrett@pagosasun.com
