The magic that was with the McDermitt High School boys basketball team last year, is starting to creep into this group.
The Bulldogs are making their way back near the top of the standings and remained in second place in the Eastern 1A after a 63-57 win over Eureka on Friday, Jan. 19.
Jackpot leads the league at 5-0, while McDermitt is a game behind at 4-1. Eureka (3-2) and Owyhee (2-3) are third and fourth, respectively. The top four teams advance to the regional tournament in Reno from Feb. 15-17. Jackpot and McDermitt meet today (Saturday) for the top spot in the league.
It was a tale of two halves for McDermitt on defense. The Bulldogs allowed 43 points in the first half and trailed by four points at halftime.
Eureka held a one-point lead after eight minutes of play at 18-17 and extended the gap to 43-39 at halftime.
The tables turned in the final 16 minutes, as Eureka managed just 14 points in the second half. The Bulldogs outscored the Vandals 12-7 in the third quarter to lead 51-50. McDermitt continued to pull away in the fourth quarter and held Eureka to the same seven points in the final eight minutes of play.
Five McDermitt players scored, including four in double figures. Cauy Crutcher led the way with 21 points. The senior knocked down four 3-point field goals.
Ben Draunidalo added 16 points and Diego Navarro had 13 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Duane Masters netted 13 points and Duane Horse had two. Horse grabbed 10 rebounds and Navarro had a team-high five assists.
McDermitt completes is five-game road trip in the Eastern 1A this weekend. The Bulldogs were in Wells on Friday and results were not available at press time.
McDermitt travels to Jackpot today (Saturday) for a 2:30 p.m. tip with the league-leading Jaguars. McDermitt returns home to play Carlin on Friday, Feb. 2, and Owyhee on Saturday, Feb. 3.
