Moose win shootout over Pagosa Springs

By STEPHEN JIRON

Courier Sports Editor

ALAMOSA — Neither Alamosa or Pagosa Springs boys basketball teams were willing to back down in a Saturday Intermountain League (IML) game. Host Alamosa (9-4, 4-0 IML) outlasted the visiting Pirates by a score of 57-49. 

Alamosa has since bounced back from a tough loss to 4A Pueblo East rattling off three straight league wins before meeting Pagosa Springs (6-7, 1-3 IML) on Saturday night.

From the way, the first quarter unfolded it’s a pretty good guess that both coaches were preaching the importance of a fast start beforehand. Neither team wasted any time scoring points early.

Alamosa got the first scoring streak in the first chapter with Isaiah Harrell banking back-to-back buckets to claim a 4-0 lead for the home team. Later Pagosa’s Mason Snarr went back-to-back for 4 points. From there, no points went unanswered. Alamosa’s Lincoln Tuioti-Mariner got the final word of the first quarter to put the Moose ahead 16-14. The Alamosa senior finished with 6 points in the win.

The second quarter was where Alamosa separated themselves. Alamosa’s Sam Clark pioneered two separate rallies for the Moose with three-pointers. Clark drained a three and teammates Ian Jackson and Tuioti-Mariner each chipped in a basket for a 7-point run to the home team. Later Clark hit another from downtown and teammate Kane Absmeier followed with a basket of his own to send the home squad to the break with a 31-23 lead.

At the break, Alamosa honored former coach Ken Niven. Niven along with alumni members from a run of four consecutive Alamosa basketball titles from 1989-92 over Classes 2A and 4A were recognized at center court.

Boasting a seven-point lead entering the second half, Alamosa played well with the advantage. Alamosa’s Brenden Crowther came alive in the third frame posting 7 of team-leading 14 points hitting his second three-pointer of the game. Crowther and the Moose bettered their position scoring a game-high 17 points in the third quarter to secure a 48-34 lead with 8 minutes to play.

The Moose paced the visitors through the final chapter to claim their fourth win in a row all within the IML.

Alamosa will try to keep the streak alive when Centauri (13-0, 4-0 IML) comes to town this Friday. The Falcons have built a considerable winning streak in their own right, and are ranked 6th by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Coaches Poll.

Alamosa will follow that with another home game on Saturday where they’ll look to sweep the season series against downtrodden Bayfield (1-12, 0-4 IML).