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Craig — Two games, four teams.

Two are defending Western Slope League champions, the other two are following a blue print toward the same success.

Rival Steamboat Springs travels to Craig today, for a girls and boys basketball doubleheader with Moffat County High School, to open the 2008 Western Slope League schedule.

The girls tip off at 6 p.m., the boys at 7:30 p.m.

The two games are match-ups of teams with opposite records, but the goal for each is the same.

Win.

The MCHS boys basketball team, (1-6 overall, 0-0 WSL) faces a Sailors squad (6-2 overall, 0-0 WSL) that went undefeated last season on its way to the league title.

The MCHS girls basketball team, (6-2 overall, 0-0 WSL) who also went undefeated last year while winning the league championship, will compete against a Steamboat unit (1-7 overall, 0-0 WSL) searching for its rhythm.

Boys basketball

Bulldog coach Steve Maneotis is excited at the early competition his team will face in its home opener.

"It is a very special rivalry," he said. "It should be a great game. It's a great way for us to start the season.

"Steamboat is a very strong team. You have to plan for a team as strong as they are."

Maneotis stressed the importance of perimeter defense and pounding the ball down low in the post, the strength of Moffat County's offense.

"We have a big team this year," he said. "We will need to execute as a whole to win. We won't come out on top if we play as individuals. The bottom line is we need to stay focused and execute our game plan."

Sailors coach Kelly Meek has put last year's championship behind him, saying he's focused on the present.

"I don't worry about last year," he said. "That's over. We have to worry about being the best team this year."

Meek said the Sailors will have to shut down the inside game of the Bulldogs.

"Our tallest guy is 6 foot 2 inches," he said. "We will get killed if we try to play them inside. We have to get the ball out of their point guards' hands so they can't get the ball inside to their big guys."

Although it is the first league game in a season of many, Meek is expecting a tight game. Something he says a rivalry will always have.

"This isn't just a ho-hum kind of game," he said. "It's our rival. We need to stay focused on what we need to do and not get caught up in all the hype surrounding it."

Girls basketball

Bulldog Coach Craig Mortensen has faced Steamboat numerous times, and the veteran knows what to expect.

"It's exciting when we play Steamboat," he said. "The kids see those red jerseys and they just flip a switch,"

Moffat County will attempt to turn it on against the Sailors without the normal game planning involved.

"We aren't planning anything special for them," Mortensen said. "We just have to play hard and not just think we can win by showing up."

Mortensen said although the team is "coming around good", the Bulldogs have been working on the half court offense since returning from winter break.

"We've been working on our half court execution on the offensive side of the ball," he said. "We can run well, we just need to work on getting that extra pass."

Senior Markie Workman has been sidelined all winter break, but Mortensen said the senior will be back today.

"Desirae Pearcey has really stepped it up in Markie's absence," he said, "and Jorgiea Raftopoulos has been playing really well. She's starting to knock down some shots for us."

Sailors coach John Ameen has been focusing on his team limiting its turnovers in preparation for today game.

"If we turn the ball over," he said, "they will run it down our throats."

Ameen has told his team that despite the contest being a rivalry game, they need to play as though it wasn't.

"I'm telling them you don't play the game different against a rival," he said. "You do the same things whether it's a rival, the best team in the state, or the worst. We have to come out the same."

The Sailors are primarily a half court team, but Ameen said that when the situation calls for it, they'll change things up.

"We will take the fast break opportunities when they are there," he said, "but, fast or slow, set or in motion, you have to execute. If we hang on to the ball, we'll be fine."

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