Craig Daily Press / Playoff time

MCHS girls basketball team to host Berthoud on Saturday

MCHS senior winger Amy Dilldine drives in the lane Feb. 16 against host Battle Mountain High School. Moffat County hosts Berthoud in the second round of the state playoffs. The No. 2 seed Bulldogs earned a first-round bye. Enlarge photo file photo

By John Vandelinder

February 29, 2008

What: MCHS basketball vs. Berthoud

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Moffat County High School, 900 Finley Lane

• For more information, call 970-824-7036

MCHS at a glance:

Coach: Craig Mortensen

Record: 20-3 overall, 13-1 Western Slope League

Streak: won 12

Points per game: 65.3

Opposition ppg: 35.5

Leading scorer: Angie Charchalis 18.7 ppg

Keys to victory:

• Play like normal. Mortensen said what the Bulldogs have been doing has been working, so he wants the team to just relax and play the way they have been.

• Have fun. Mortensen said basketball’s second season is a neat time that the team needs to enjoy.

• Defense. Mortensen said everything starts with defense. He said it dictates what the Bulldogs do.

Berthoud at a glance:

Coach: Randy Earl

Record: 17-7 overall, 9-5 Northern League, East Division

Streak: won 4

Points per game: 46.9

Opposition ppg: 39.4

Leading scorer: Jasmine Cervantes 18.7 ppg

Craig — Heading into Saturday’s matchup with Berthoud High School, the Moffat County girls basketball team is five wins away from its first state title in coach Craig Mortensen’s 28th season at the helm.

It’s not that the team hasn’t come close.

Last season, the Bulldogs were the No. 1 seed but fell in the “Sweet 16” to Rifle, 69-61.

In 2006, Moffat County was again the No. 1 seed in its region, advancing to the “Final Four” before losing to Regis-Jesuit by 22 points.

In 2005, the Bulldogs again were a No. 1 seed, before bowing out by 14 points to Mullen High School, and in 2004, Moffat County was blown out by 33 points in a first-round ouster at the hands of Skyline High.

This season, the Bulldogs are a No. 2 seed in the Lou Piel Region, a change from the last three years’ No. 1 seed.

“The team is looking good,” MCHS coach Craig Mortensen said. “We are rested and have had a long week of practice. The girls are excited the second season is here.”

The starting five for Moffat County is a senior-laden unit. Four of the players who will be on the floor for the opening tip have at least two years varsity experience.

“It’s hard to compare this team to other teams from years past,” Mortensen said.

But, he did say having senior experience in the lineup should help.

Junior Alicia Nelson joins seniors Amy Dilldine, Angie Charchalis, Jorgiea Raftopoulos and Markie Workman.

“We are going to go with the same 12 girls we have had all year,” Mortensen said. “We have been successful with that line-up. We are going to stay where we are at.”

Berthoud enters on a four-game win streak; Moffat County has won 12 straight.

The Spartans’ average margin of victory is 7.5 points per game. The Bulldogs’ is about 30.

Mortensen said he’s confident in his team, so as far as scouting the opposition goes; he’s limiting his game planning to a few phone calls.

“Nope, no film,” he said. “Just a few calls to some coaches. If nobody talks, we’ll just go at it.”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 211, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com