Lulls doom Pirates in first league game

Centauri senior Derek Van Berkum (2) looks for some real estate while Monte Vista’s Tyrese Otero (4) and Jarren Chavez (1) defend/

MONTE VISTA — After falling behind early, Monte Vista lost to the visiting Falcons in a 55-38 game.

Struck by a holiday hangover Monte Vista (4-5, 0-1 IML) returned from the break with two straight losses. The Pirates were able to cleanse their palette with a victory over Center on Tuesday just in time for a league matchup with Centauri.

The Falcons (10-0, 1-0 IML) are all ahead full right now and entered Friday’s contest with an impeccable record. Staying undefeated Centauri was placed at the No. 6 spot in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Coaches Poll on Monday, garnering 84 points.

Monte Vista struggled early Friday night; according to preliminary stats, they would shoot 10 percent from the field in the first quarter. Centauri took advantage of the Pirate’s slow start to create a 16-4 lead entering the second.

The Pirates corrected course in the second quarter to bring their shooting percentage up, improving to 63 percent in the second frame, but the opportunities just weren’t there. Centauri meanwhile kept their offense productive belting out a 10-point run midway through the second frame fueled by 7 points from Trey Crowther to take a 35-19 lead to the locker rooms.

Both offenses would slow in the third quarter as neither team would eclipse double digits. The low scoring third quarter favored the Falcons who already had a prominent lead and just needed the passage of time.

Monte Vista would outscore Centauri in the final quarter but it would not be enough as Centauri would stay undefeated with the 55-38 win.

The scoring lead for Centauri went to Trey Crowther who collected 11 points in the win, 7 of those came during the junior’s second-quarter frenzy. Monte Vista senior Jarren Chavez led his team in scoring collecting 13 points on Friday night. Centauri has a good chance to make it eleven in a row when they go on the road to meet Pagosa Springs (5-5, 0-1 IML). The league rivals split last year’s series with a win apiece. Monte Vista will head east to meet Alamosa (5-4) in what looks to be a telling game for both teams. Starting times for both Centauri-Pagosa Springs and Monte Vista-Alamosa are scheduled for 7 p.m.