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Photo by Shawn McHugh

Andrew Raftopoulos goes up for a shot during a Moffat County High School boys basketball scrimmage Friday night. The scrimmage was part of Midnight Madness to celebrate the beginning of a new basketball season.

Photo by Shawn McHugh

Maddy Jourgensen hands a ball to Melissa Camilletti during the MCHS Midnight Madness girls against boys three-point-shootout Friday night at the high school. The first annual Midnight Madness showcased both the boys and girls teams in contests and scrimmages.

Even with the first Moffat County High School home basketball game not scheduled before the new year, there was no problem packing the gym.

During the first Midnight Madness, the boys and girls teams scrimmaged with more than 100 people in attendance at Moffat County High School.

Midnight Madness began at 6 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner, which boys coach Steve Maneotis said will go a long way toward helping the Bulldogs.

“I thought everything was great,” he said. “We had over 300 people at the dinner, and it was an opportunity for the community to come out and support their teams.”

Maneotis said the boys team raised more than $1,500 which will be used for basketballs, practice gear, coaching supplies and other hardwood essentials.

Midnight Madness featured scrimmages for both the boys and girls squads, a three-point shootout contest, a basketball rendition of musical chairs for the young and old and a friendly game of knock-out.

Maneotis said getting the crowd involved was one of the night’s main goals.

“We wanted to have kids from the other schools participate and have everyone get excited for the season,” he said. “It was everything we had hoped it would be, and I have to give a special thanks to Shane Camilletti and Amy Peck of the (Moffat Basketball Association) for helping with the T-shirts.”

Senior Jordan Wilson said Midnight Madness should be on the calendar for the Bulldogs every year.

“It’s a good idea,” he said. “For our first one, I thought it went well. People get to come out and see and support us, and it’s a chance just to have fun.”

Junior Justine Hathhorn said the basketball was pretty good, too.

“I thought we all did well tonight,” she said. “It was pretty cool, and I think people had fun.”

The crowd that showed up didn’t surprise Hathhorn.

“It’s something fun to do on a Friday,” she said. “I think a lot of people just want to see how we’re playing.”

The Moffat County girls basketball team will see its first action Dec. 4, when it travels to Vernal, Utah, for the Vernal Tournament.

The first home game for girls varsity is Jan. 8, when Eagle Valley High School pays the Bulldogs a visit.

The boys team will start its season off with a Dec. 5 game against Montezuma-Cortez High School in Palisade.

Like the girls, the boys first home game will be Jan. 8 against Eagle Valley.

Britteny Ivers said the support didn’t surprise her, either.

“It was pretty fun — intense and laid back at the same time,” she said. “I think everyone showed up because basketball is a big sport in this town, and everyone wants to see where we are.”

Senior Brian Ivy said it was the fans that made it fun.

“It was pretty good,” he said. “Mainly due to the screaming. We had a good year last year, and I think people came by to see what’s up for this year.”