Weekend marks back-to-back wins for HHS boys basketball

    Last weekend was a successful one for the Holyoke High School boys basketball team. On Jan. 26, the Dragons hosted Merino and beat them 44-38 in an intense and surprisingly close game. On Jan. 27, the varsity team traveled to Nederland, where they claimed a 64-19 victory.
    
Holyoke 44, Merino 38
    Being in the same league, Friday night’s 44-38 win over Merino was a big one for Holyoke. HHS had the lead for much of the game, but it was never so large that they could relax. In the first quarter, the Dragons scored eight points through a combination of 2-point and 3-point field goals, as well as one free throw. Merino scored seven.
    Trailing by one, Merino came into the second quarter strong, but the Dragon defense was ready. “We did a good job all night making them take tough shots and keeping them out of the lane with dribble penetration,” coach Scott Dille said of his team’s defensive efforts. At the half, HHS had extended their lead to 19-17.
    From Dille’s perspective, the third quarter was where the Dragons shined. “That was really the difference in the game,” he said. Dille noted that the team worked for great shots during that quarter, and their effort was reflected in the 16 points they added to the scoreboard. Merino managed only two, and the Dragons extended their lead to 35-19.
    Right when it looked like HHS might be able to take it easy, Merino came alive. The final quarter was exceptionally heavy on fouls, and while the Dragons had many opportunities to shoot from the foul line, they only made one basket from the field. When Merino made three shots from outside the arc, fans were holding their breath.
    Fortunately, the previously established Dragon lead was enough to hold off Merino despite the Rams doubling their score in the last period, and HHS won 44-38.
    Looking ahead, Dille noted the team needs to work on consistently playing quarters  the way they played the third one in this game.
    Andy Dominguez led the team with 14 points, including two 3-pointers and two foul shots. Anthony Beltran followed with 10 points. For rebounds, Tate Dille and Mason King each had five. Blake Mosenteen led with two assists, and Dille had three steals. Both Dille and Caleb Deaver managed three blocks. As a team, HHS shot 50 percent from the free-throw line, slightly less than Merino’s 53 percent.

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