Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Even after acknowledging that the Hayden High School boys basketball team by all measure should have blown out De Beque on Saturday, the game turned out to be a blowout. It was a blowout of a blowout, if you will.

The Tigers gave up one point in the first quarter and just two more in the second en route to a 66-21 shellacking at home.

“We were able to play with good intensity throughout the game,” coach Mike Luppes said. “That’s not something we’re always able to do against the lower teams in our conference.”

Hayden led 28-1 after one quarter and 43-3 after two. Most of the starters didn’t play after the first quarter. In all, 14 players scored for Hayden. The team was led by Isaac Bridges’ 17. Aaron Cramer had nine, and Carlos Valdez and Cutter Barrett each scored six.

Jordan Ferrier had nine rebounds, and Bridges had five steals.

The 2-0 weekend sewed up the Western Slope League title for the Tigers, but Luppes said their regular-season goals can’t be complete without a win at home Friday against cross-county rival Soroco. Hayden controlled a season-opening meeting between the two, but plenty has changed in the nearly three months since then.

“We have one big one left to get that accomplished,” Luppes said. “It was a good weekend for us, and Soroco is a big game for us. First, it’s Soroco, so it’s always big. Second, we really want that undefeated league season. It’s pretty important to the kids right now and to me.”

Hayden’s Paul Laliberte sat out the weekend of lopsided games to ensure his ankle is 100 percent. Luppes said he’ll be ready to go Monday.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253 or email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com