craigdailypress.com

Steamboat Springs — It's glimpses like the first six minutes of Friday's Steamboat Springs-Moffat County game that give the Steamboat girl's program hope. But it was the last 26 minutes of Friday's 78-24 loss that showed why Moffat County is one of the top teams in the state.

"We're quick. We really are quick," Moffat County coach Craig Mortensen said. "We have very good athletes. We haven't run into a team that's quicker than us. We'll run into bigger teams, but hopefully our quickness will carry us through."

On Friday at Kelly Meek Gymnasium, it initially looked as if Steamboat might hang with Moffat County.

After the Bulldogs jumped out to a 6-0 lead, the Sailors responded with an 8-1 run to take an 8-7 lead with 2 minutes, 43 seconds left in the first quarter. But Moffat County - the fifth-ranked team in the state - went on a 20-5 run to close the first half and outscored Steamboat 67-24 the rest of the game.

"In the second half, we didn't stay pace with them," Steamboat coach John Ameen said. "We lost that intensity a little bit."

The Bulldogs shot 27-of-65 in the game, including 10-of-21 in the third quarter to break the game open. Angela Charchalis led Moffat County with 29 points while Amy Dilldine and Markie Workman each chipped in 15.

Colleen King led Steamboat with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Steamboat and Moffat County continue action today as two teams going in different directions. Moffat County plays Battle Mountain, while Steamboat travels to Eagle Valley.

For Ameen, the last two games of the season will be about trying to wrap all the positive things his team has done throughout the year.

"I want that intensity from that first quarter and a half," Ameen said. "The last time we played Eagle Valley, we had that. We were able to buckle down. For me, I'm never satisfied with what we did last game. We have to be better" today.

As for Mortensen and the Bulldogs, all attention is turned toward a deep run in the playoffs and a possible Western Slope League championship.

"We hope so," Mortensen said. "We should at least tie with Glenwood in the league. Doesn't really matter where we're seeded in the playoffs. We'll play wherever they assign us."