The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate basketball team opened its season by splitting their matchups against Delta and Gunnison at the Wolf Creek Classic.
In the first game the Pirates lost to the Delta Panthers 61-60, but bounced back a day later, defeating the Gunnison Cowboys 73-45.
“I think we played really well,” said coach Brandon Forster. “We just have to continue to fight and figure things out as the season goes on.”
The Pirates faced off against the Delta Panthers on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the first game of the season.
Pagosa started slow, only scoring 23 points in the first half, but the team picked it up after halftime.
A 37-point second half led the way for the Pirates comeback efforts, but Delta hit the eventual game-winner and the Pirates lost by one to open the season.
Creede Dozier led the way for the Pirates with 14 points, with Jerry Dean and Duke Ketchum both adding five points.
As a team, the Pirates shot 55 percent from the field and 71 percent from behind the 3-point line. Thirteen of the Pirates’ 20 made shots were assisted on, as well.
The Pirates finished the game with 19 turnovers.
Additional stats were not available by press time Wednesday.
Two days later, on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Pirates squared off with the Gunnison Cowboys.
It looked like the Pirates were in for another close game as they held a 29-28 lead at the half, but Forster dialed up a full-court press coming out of halftime and the shots started to fall for the Pirates.
The Pirates outscored the Cowboys 44-17 in the second half on their way to a 28-point win.
Stats from the game were not available by press time Wednesday.
Forster noted he told the boys in the locker room at halftime to keep shooting and to shoot with confidence.
He also emphasized that he wanted to play a little more up-tempo in the second half, implementing a press that helped the Pirates gain momentum.
The Pirates finished the game with seven 3-pointers and 11 steals.
Though the season is young, Forster emphasized that he wants the Pirates to play team basketball on offense, which means making the extra pass and sticking with the hot hand.
He added he also wants the team to continue to work hard and stay disciplined in its man-to-man defense.
The Pirates’ next game will be against the Salida Spartans, who are 1-2 on the season.
Forster explained the Spartans will be the first team the Pirates have faced that runs a man-to-man defense, which allows them to run a new offense.
He also emphasized that the Spartans have great guards and the team can shoot very well, so the Pirates will have to work hard on defense.
The Pirates will host the Spartans beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.
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