The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate boys’ basketball team will return to action this week when it travels to Broomfield for the Holy Family Invite.
The Pirates have a 2-4 record and will look to start the new year with a couple of wins after losing their last three games of 2025.
The Pirates will open the new year on Friday, Jan. 2, when they face the Holy Family Tigers at 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers come into the game with a 4-0 record and will likely make a deep run in the state playoffs this year due to the strong tradition they have built over the years, noted Pirate coach Brandon Forster.
“They’re a really good team and for us, that’s good, because we want to go out and face tough competition,” said Forster. “We want to be able to go and try and prove ourselves, so it’s exciting.”
As a team, the Tigers excel in dribble drive on the offensive side of the ball, according to Forster.
He also mentioned that on the defensive side they are going to pick up the Pirates’ guards high on the court and make them earn their points.
The Pirates will then match up against the Peak to Peak Pumas on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 1:30 p.m.
The Pumas come into the game with a 3-3 record.
Forster emphasized that the Pumas have impressive guard play that the Pirates will have to focus on shutting down.
“Peak to Peak has some really good guards,” Forster said. “They’re gonna press a little bit and try and dribble-penetrate, break you down and get a kick out for three.”
Before the break, Holy Family and Peak to Peak faced off, with Holy Family winning 72-57 at home. Holy Family was able to pull away at the end, but both teams are going to be very tough, Forster noted.
In preparation for this weekend’s tournament, the Pirates started back practicing on Monday, Dec. 29, and will practice through Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Then, on Friday, Jan. 2 ,the Pirates will hop on the bus to head to Broomfield.
The Pirates have been working specifically on taking pride in their on-ball defense as well as taking accountability for their defense as a whole, explained Forster.
He also emphasized that the team’s work ethic and attitude — the things he can’t coach — have been very impressive and will be essential as the Pirates look to win this weekend.
On the offensive side of the ball, Forster noted that the boys really need to work on taking care of the ball and taking the open shot when they have it.
“We’re gonna go up expecting to win,” Forster said. “That’s our mantra right now, go up and make some noise, that’s what we want to do.”
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
>