Mancos played a hard 32 minutes last Friday at first-place Ignacio.
The end result was still a 64-46 loss.
The results last Saturday at home versus Ridgway, was first half fatigue.
Ridgway had more pep in its step, while a second half Bluejays rally wasnt enough.
The taller Demons defeated Mancos, 54-45.
I think our boys played really hard last night at Ignacio. Its tough in league, said Bluejays coach Mike Glover, whose team played three games this week. You got to play Friday night, and then turn around and play hard the next night. I think fatigue had us a little bit tonight, but thats no excuse. Everybody in league has got to play Friday night and turn around and play Saturday.
After Mancos (7-10, 5-6, 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) spotted Ridgway (12-6, 7-3 SJBL) the first four points, Branson Mitchell scored four to tie the game. Kenny Philpots 20-footer from Nigel Henry saw the Bluejays fly ahead 6-4. Trey Gordanier tipped in a 2, later giving his team an 8-6 lead at home.
However, Mancos wouldnt see the lead again. The visiting Demons went on a 8-0 run to take a 14-8 lead in the second quarter. Kolton Kyne and Harley Ryder sparked Ridgway. The Bluejays on the other hand, couldnt make buckets and passes, turning the ball over at inopportune times. Despite the offensive inefficiency, Mancos was only down six at halftime, 19-13.
I think as a team, we didnt play well offensively, Glover said. Offensively, were just not getting it done. They played good defense.
In the third, the Demons pulled away with a 10-2 opening half run. The tall and long Nathan Hagemeyer let loose down low and could not be stopped. Ridgway led 29-15 and built its biggest lead at 33-18 later in the third.
Mancos needed a spark of its own and it came from Wyatt Cox and Jake Driver. The Bluejays reeled off a 7-0 run, starting with Driver driving baseline for 2. Philpot tipped in a shot and Cox gave Mancos its first 3-pointer to make it a 33-25 game.
After a Ryder layup for the Demons, Driver tipped in a miss on the other end at the buzzer to keep the margin eight points at 35-27.
The Bluejays and the home fans were back in it. But every time Mancos threatened, the Demons dispelled any chance of a comeback.
Cox scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including two more treys from downtown. Driver continued to hustle, converting second chance points. For Ridgway, Hagemeyer answered the bell when his fellow Demons rang. Mancos did not have anyone to match up with Hagemeyer, as he made continuous layups. Ridgway sank their free throws in the final minutes, too, as Coxs 3-pointer at the final horn wasnt enough.
We didnt play good enough post defense and that really killed us. They were just making layup after layup down there, Cox said. The second half, we came out and put a little more effort in.
Cox had a Bluejays team high 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Driver and Philpot scored nine apiece.
Sometimes you come out and your shots just dont fall right off the bat. We got to work a little harder to get better shots and convert our layups, Cox said. When you see them (shots) fall like that, it makes you feel good. I was just feeling it tonight. That worked out well, but not well enough, though.
Hagemeyer recorded a game high 16 points for Ridgway, while Ryder and Kyne netted 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Mancos will conclude the regular season this week. The Bluejays travel to Telluride on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and host Norwood on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.
