Craig Daily Press / Bulldogs can’t stay close

Moffat County boys play strong first half, but Palisade pulls away in third quarter to win

Moffat County’s Blake Najera goes up for a shot Friday against host Palisade. Moffat County lost, 56-41, to remain winless in league play. Enlarge photo — Photo by John Vandelinder

By John Vandelinder

January 19, 2008

Palisade — The Moffat County High School boys basketball team was playing in stride.

Running the floor, hitting the open shot and staying close to undefeated Palisade through the first half of their matchup Friday, Moffat County was poised to claim its first league win.

That is, until the third quarter.

Palisade used a 16-4 run directly out of the halftime break, separating them from Moffat and pulling away to a 56-41 victory in Palisade.

“We didn’t come out of the break ready to play,” Moffat County coach Steve Maneotis said. “We have got to get five guys who really want to play out there on the floor. Until then, the wins won’t come.”

Palisade (10-2 overall, 4-0 Western Slope League) used a balance scoring attack — and a stingy second-half defense — to remain undefeated in league play.

“At halftime, we talked about the things we weren’t doing right and tried to fix them,” Palisade coach Clement Keenon said. “We came out and attacked the rim very well. We had a good energy on defense, and we finished at the hoop.”

Moffat County (1-11 overall, 0-4 WSL) was without injured starting point guard Mike Peters, who watched impatiently from the sideline.

“I hate just sitting here and watching,” the junior Peters said. “There are so many things you see sitting on the sideline that make you want to be out there with your team.”

Freshman Dylon Camilletti started in his place, and Maneotis was pleased with his performance.

“I’m really proud of Dylon,” Maneotis said, cracking the only smile of the evening. “He scored, got us into our flow and handled himself really well for his first varsity game.”

Eli Buckner tallied 10 points to lead Moffat County. Thomas Noble and Chayton Owens pitched in with nine points apiece.

Moffat County is the taller team on paper; a trait Maneotis has said should be the teams’ strength.

Not Friday.

“Our post guys played really soft,” he said. “We have the biggest kids, and we are getting pushed around. We played flat-footed, and it showed.”

Moffat County will travel to face Delta today in a battle of two teams without a league win.

“Until we win a game,” Maneotis said, “there is nobody weaker than us.”