Craig Middle School was able to split a Thursday hoops doubleheader against West Grand Middle School at CMS.

The eighth-grade team fell to West Grand, 51-18, in the first game of the night, while the seventh-grade team won, 28-16.

In the first game, the eighth-grade team was unable to move the ball around the Colts’ swarming defense.

Thorin Jackson had seven points, Kelly Campbell had four, Curtis Dunlap and Dyland Trevenen each had two, and Colter Tegtman had one point.

The Colts’ full-court press defense kept the Bulldogs off balance, while a size advantage gave the team many second chances because of offensive rebounds.

West Grand led, 28-6, going into halftime, but the Bulldogs came out strong in the second half, scoring the last five points in the third quarter to cut West Grand’s lead to 39-18.

The team was unable to keep its offensive momentum in the fourth quarter, however, and West Grand wrapped up a lopsided victory.

The seventh-grade team was able to put the press on the Colts, and a ferocious defensive effort ensued.

The Bulldogs never trailed, outscoring the Colts, 9-1, in the first quarter, and led 13-6 at the half.

The Bulldogs never let up, and cruised to the 28-16 victory.

Guard Joe Camilletti said he thought his team, now 4-0, could have played better.

“I don’t think we played as well as usual,” he said. “We should have passed the ball more and we could have run our offense better.

“On defense we were pretty good.”

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 875-1795 or bbulkeley@craigdailypress.com.