MCDERMITT — Every now and then through the season, a team is going to have an off night.
The McDermitt High School boys basketball team experienced that Tuesday night on its home floor. Despite numerous turnovers and missed shots, the Bulldogs were still able to come away with a 67-43 win over Independence. McDermitt improved to 5-0 in the Eastern 1A and 12-6 overall.
“It was one of those games where you got a win, but did not feel good about it,” said MHS coach Jack Smith.
After a slow start in which McDermitt led by just two points, the Bulldogs closed out the first quarter on a 14-2 run to go in front 20-6. A jump shot by Cauy Crutcher started the spurt, which included buckets by Troy McKee, Diego Navarro. Crutcher and McKee combined for 14 of the 16 points and McDermitt never saw the gap drop below double figures the rest of the way.
Back-to-back shots by Duane Horse and Edgar Reyes gave McDermitt its largest lead of the first half at 26-8, but Independence did not go away. The Colts answered back with eight quick points and forced the Bulldogs to call a timeout with 4:26 left in the second quarter.
The break in the action was the answer McDermitt was looking for. The squad went on a 12-2 run, capped off by two baskets by Ben Draunidalo and 3-point field goal by Reyes to lead 40-18.
The Bulldogs maintained a 16-20-point advantage throughout the third quarter and led by as many as 28 points in the fourth period.
McKee, a senior, had a big night in the paint with 18 points and 19 rebounds for a double-double. Crutcher was one assist shy of a double-double with 17 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals.
Diego Navarro was the third McDermitt player in double figures with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Navarro added five assists and four steals. Reyes had nine points, Draunidalo seven and Horse six.
The top spot in the Eastern 1A was up for grabs on Friday night, as McDermitt traveled to Eureka. Both teams entered undefeated in league play. Results were not available at press time.
The Bulldogs are home for three games next week, starting with a non-conference match-up against Jordan Valley, Ore., on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
McDermitt hosts Wells on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Jackpot on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m.
