MCDERMITT - With just two players back from last year, there may be some early growing pains for the McDermitt High School boys basketball team.
The Bulldogs played tough with an experienced Jordan Valley (Ore.) squad, but could not overcome a slow start in a 53-41 loss to the Mustangs.
"There were some good spots, but I can see a lot of things we need to work on," said MHS head coach Julia Topholm. "I know the potential is there and boys played 100 percent to the end. Turnovers were the big thing for us. We need to take care of the ball a little better on offense and we will make some adjustments there."
McDermitt grabbed a 7-3 lead early in the first quarter off baskets by Leo Lorenzo, Tyler Coble and Tanner Coble. However, with the game tied at 11-11 with two minutes, 41 seconds left in the first quarter, Tyler Coble went to the bench with three fouls.
Jordan Valley took advantage of the junior's absence and finished the first quarter on a 9-2 run to lead 20-13. The margin grew to 27-13, 90 seconds into the second quarter, making the Bulldogs play from behind the rest of the way.
"It hurt when Tyler picked up his third foul," Topholm said. "Jordan Valley was able to pull out a lead. I had to put him back in the game in the second quarter, because he is a player I need on the floor. He came back out and played for us and stayed out of foul trouble the rest of the way."
McDermitt scored its first points of the second quarter at the 5:11 mark on a pair of free throws by Hawk Urban. A basket by Tanner Coble and two free throws by Tyler Coble brought McDermitt within eight points at 27-19, only to see Jordan Valley hit a 3-point shot the next time down the floor and the Mustangs' lead never dropped below double figures the rest of the way.
Jordan Valley broke the game open at the start of the second half, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter to up the advantage to 42-22. McDermitt scored just four points in the third period - a basket by Edgar Cerceres and two free throws by Lorenzo.
The Mustangs' lead grew to 23 points at 49-26, before the Bulldogs finished the game on a 15-4 run on strength of seven points by Tyler Coble.
"Overall, I was pleased and the boys were happy with their performance," said the coach. "I see nothing but potential with this group and we are going to go get them when we go up there."
Tyler Coble led McDermitt with 17 points, while his younger brother Tanner Coble had eight. Lorenzo also scored eight points, Cerceres had four and Saul Lopez and Urban finished with two each.
The Bulldogs are off until Tuesday, Dec. 11, when they make the return trip to Jordan Valley for a 5 p.m. tip off.
"There is room to work with and I was proud of how our defense got us back in the game in the fourth quarter," Topholm said. "I was pleased with how Tanner played, being a freshman. The goal is to stay positive, because I know there is a lot of potential out there."
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