Moffat County junior Bryant Carlson
takes a shot as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Carlson led all scorers in the game with 19 points. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Points were plentiful, but Moffat County boys basketball was on the wrong side of the scoreboard with dual losses in their first weekend back from winter break.
The Bulldogs fell 79-68 Friday evening, Jan. 6, in Granby against the Middle Park Panthers as they returned to the court for the first time in weeks.
MoCo held a healthy 22-12 lead in the first quarter only for Middle Park to whittle it down to a two-point margin of 40-38 by halftime. The game stayed close until the Panthers’ monster 27-point fourth frame that helped them take the win.
Junior Bryant Carlson led both teams in scoring with a scoring spree of 32 points — 13 of 16 in shooting with 10 field goals, three 3-pointers, and three free throws — along with 14 points for senior Cort Murphy and 12 for junior Hudson Jones.
MCHS opened 4A Western Slope League play Saturday, Jan. 7, with the Coal Ridge Titans, who earned a 61-52 win over the Dogs.
The energy went much the same with an explosive opening — 17-9 Moffat in the first quarter — before the visitors caught up and cruised to victory in the second half.
Carlson again led both benches in points, this time with 19, followed by Jones with 16. The Bulldogs will continue to see 4A WSL opponents this weekend, traveling Friday, Jan. 13, to Aspen, whom they defeated in tournament play in December, followed by a home game against Basalt on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Evan Beaver is introduced before the start of Moffat County’s boys basketball game against Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Bulldogs senior Marcos Romero fights for the tipoff against Coal Ridge sophomore Ben Simons during a boys basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Romero had six points and four rebounds in the contest. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Hudson Jones shoots a baseline jump shot as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Jones recorded 16 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the game. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Bulldogs junior Bryant Carlson drives toward the hoop as Moffat County faces Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Carlson recorded 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County’s Bryant Carlson, left, and Hudson Jones play defense as Coal Ridge senior James Webber tries to get a shot off during a boys basketball game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Coal Ridge won 61-52. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Evan Beaver takes a shot in traffic as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Coal Ridge won 61-52. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Bryant Carlson
takes a shot as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Carlson led all scorers in the game with 19 points. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County senior Marcos Romero drives toward the hoop during a boys basketball game versus Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County senior Boden Reidhead shoots with Coal Ridge sophomore Ben Simons defending. Coal Ridge won the boys basketball game 61-52 on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County senior Austin Robinson scrambles for the loose ball after deflecting a pass in a boys basketball game against Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County senior Johnny Lopez
shoots a floater over Coal Ridge sophomore Ben Simons on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County senior Johnny Lopez
shoots a layup during a boys basketball game against Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Bryant Carlson
takes an off-balanced shot in the paint as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Carlson led all scorers in the game with 19 points. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Bryant Carlson
takes a shot during a boys basketball game against Coal Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Carlson had a game-high 19 points along with seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Hudson Jones shoots a three-pointer as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Jones had 16 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the game. Eli Pace/Craig Press
Moffat County junior Bryant Carlson
scores a two-point field goal as the Bulldogs face Coal Ridge in a boys basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at MCHS. Eli Pace/Craig Press
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