Girls still undefeated

Norwood High School’s Lady Maverick basketball team added another notch in its belt on Friday night, beating Crested Butte 50-44 and keeping its record untarnished.
“We’re 6 and 0 so far,” said Coach Jan Gillen.
Gillen said that the snowy drive to the away game, more than seven hours round trip, seemed to take its toll on the team — until the fourth quarter, when they scored 19 points.
“We got our feet underneath us, and we came through with a win,” said Gillen.
Sam Oliver was the high scorer, with 18 points, followed by Malisha Sutherland, with 17, and Aymee Barks, with 10.
Gillen was pleased with the win over Crested Butte, the runner-up team in the district last year. He said that at this point in the season the Mavericks are just starting to get into district or league play, and next week they will face Dove Creek, last year’s district champs.
“We have to bring our game this weekend,” said Gillen.

Boys split games at Crested Butte

The junior varsity team bested their Butte opponents, 22-15, but the varsity was overwhelmed and came away with a 71-27 loss on Friday night.
The junior varsity players were forced to play a two-quarter game because of eligibility, but they were still able to take control. Gabriel Torres scored 8 points, and Brian Hanner 6.
“It was a relatively close game until the last half, when the Norwood boys took control of the ball in the finish, and got a lead that couldn’t be overcome,” said Coach Doc Williams.
In the varsity match-up, Crested Butte showed the skills that qualified the team for the district tournament last year. Norwood, a younger squad with just one senior on the team, was still able to hold its own against the older and more experienced Butte team.
“They had six seniors, and it was blatantly evident,” said Williams.
Jesus Salinas, who moved here from Denver, was finally eligible and able to play in his first game for Norwood. Jesse Efurd, Norwood’s lone senior, was the leading scorer with 10 points, followed by Eric McKinney with 9.
The Mavericks will play at home Saturday against Dove Creek with games starting at 3:30 p.m.

Norwood wrestlers place 11th at tourney in Utah

Norwood’s grapplers had an impressive showing at the Uintah Tournament Jan. 11-12, taking 11th as a team against schools of all sizes from Colorado and Utah.
Norwood was the only school of its size, 2A, to even place in the top 20, coaches said.
“It was a story of David versus Goliath,” said Coach Denny Johnson. “It was tougher than the state tournament. These kids did great. They deserve to be recognized for how well they performed.”
Stryker Lane earned a first place win in his 215 lb. weight class, and Hugh Hardman took third in the competitive 140 lb. weight class. Seth Gabardi took fourth in the 119 lb. class, and Darrel Jensen came in eighth wrestling in the 285 lb. class.
Norwood’s wrestlers travel to Salida this weekend, then Ignacio on Jan. 26, before they have their first and only home tournament on Feb. 2.