Photo by John F. Russell
Hayden senior Hunter Johnston and Soroco junior Cody McCollum battle for a loose ball in the first half of Tuesday's district playoff game in Hayden.
Hayden boys hoops cruises to 73-53 win against Soroco
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
2011-12 Tigers boys basketball schedule
- Dec. 8 to 10: Cowboy Shootout in Meeker
- Dec. 8: Hayden 43, Crested Butte 42
- Dec. 9: Meeker 66, Hayden 35
- Dec. 16: Hayden 59, North Park 41
- Dec. 17: Little Snake River 66, Hayden 53
- Jan. 6: Meeker 51, Hayden 42
- Jan. 10: Hayden 53, Vail Mountain 41
- Jan. 13: West Grand 68, Hayden 55
- Jan. 14: Hayden 70, North Park 45
- Jan. 20: Hayden 64, De Beque 36
- Jan. 21: Hayden 59, Vail Christian 50
- Jan. 27: Hayden 59, Soroco 40
- Jan. 28: Hayden 74, Rangely 60
- Jan. 31: Hayden 88, Vail Christian 72
- Feb. 3: Plateau Valley 79, Hayden 66
- Feb. 4: Hayden 75, Paonia 67
- Feb. 10: Hayden 69, Soroco 53
- Feb. 11: Hayden 61, West Grand 55
- Feb. 17: Hayden wins through forfeit again Vail Mountain
- Feb. 21: Hayden 73, Soroco 53
- Feb. 24: District Tournament: West Grand 58, Hayden 55
- Feb. 25: District Tournament: Hayden 73, Paonia 57
- March 2 and 3: at Regional Tournament
2011-12 Rams boys basketball schedule
- Dec. 1: Soroco 70, North Park 45
- Dec. 12: Soroco 78, Moffat County JV 57
- Dec. 17: Soroco 78, Gilpin County 70
- Jan. 6: Soroco 63, Vail Mountain 49
- Jan. 13: Rangely 67, Soroco 43
- Jan. 14: Vail Christian 79, Soroco 39
- Jan. 20: Plateau Valley 71, Soroco 56
- Jan. 21: West Grand 52, Soroco 51
- Jan. 27: Hayden 59, Soroco 40
- Jan. 28: Paonia 66, Soroco 46
- Feb. 3: Soroco 75, North Park 44
- Feb. 4: West Grand 61, Soroco 48
- Feb. 7: Vail Christian 78, Soroco 66
- Feb. 10: Hayden 69, Soroco 53
- Feb. 11: Meeker 70, Soroco 43
- Feb. 17: Soroco 76, De Beque 71
- Feb. 18: Vail Mountain 69, Soroco 63, OT
- Feb. 21: Hayden 73, Soroco 53
Hayden — Hayden High School boys coach Mike Luppes didn’t have a plan for the end of the week.
Despite twice rolling over rival Soroco earlier this year, Luppes made sure his team was focused on Tuesday’s opening round of the district tournament.
It worked. In a tailor-made Tigers win, Hayden got up and down the court, dominated rebounding and ran away with a 73-53 win.
“We tell the kids it’s the most important game of the year,” Luppes said. “You win, and you play for two more weekends. You lose, and you’re done.”
Soroco didn’t have the players to keep up with Hayden and was without starting guard Matt Regan, who was sent to the locker room after getting in a brief altercation with a Hayden player.
The Rams trailed just 38-26 at halftime and seemingly still were in the game.
But the Tigers opened the third on a 14-5 run to take a 52-31 lead midway through the third quarter.
From there, Hayden continued to impose its will with what seemed like an endless amount of front-court depth.
Paul Laliberte led the Tigers with 22 points. Mark Doolin had eight points, 15 rebounds and four blocks.
Nic Paxton and Ryan Jeep each scored 23 for the Rams.
Hayden likely will play West Grand on Friday. A full district bracket will be available Wednesday.
To reach Luke Graham, call 970-871-4229 or email lgraham@SteamboatToday.com
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