Cyclones struggle against league's best

Alamosa, South knock West back in S-CL standings

By MIKE GRIFFIN
The Pueblo West View

The Pueblo West High School basketball team came up short against a nightmare schedule of South-Central League play last week, tumbling in the standings.

Riding a three-game league win streak, West had to deal with the state's No. 5 team in Alamosa on Tuesday followed by a meeting with the state's top-ranked team in South on Friday.

The Cyclones weren't up to the challenge, falling 76-60 to Alamosa and 65-42 to South.

The losses dropped them to 3-3 in the league standings. They were scheduled to play at East on Tuesday, too late to be reported in this week's View, and are set to host Canon City on Friday.

The weekend's action left West tied with County for fourth place in the league, looking up at South (6-0), Alamosa (4-2) and East (4-2). After a run to the final eight of the state tournament last season, the Cyclones entered the 2008-09 campaign expecting to be right behind South and figuring they could nab at least second place in the S-CL.

But inconsistent perimeter play has hurt them at times. They have benefitted from a consistent defensive effort most nights, but have made too many turnovers and struggled to score in the half court when their transition game has been slowed. The two-game losing streak last week left them with a lot of work to do as the second round of the league schedule begins this week.

Against Alamosa last Tuesday, the Cyclones dug a big hole early as the Moose marched to a 35-17 halftime lead. West played the Moose even in the second half, but couldn't close the gap.

Barry Halley led the Cyclones with 12 points, Zach Fillmore scored 11 and Drew Thiele added 10. Alamosa had four players in double figures.

Friday against the top-ranked Colts in a rowdy Jerry Kersey Gymnasium, the Cyclones played the Colts to a draw in the first quarter and went into halftime trailing by just two.

But increased defensive intensity helped the Colts smother the Cyclones in the second half, holding them to just four points in the fourth quarter.

Fillmore led West with 11 points, but nobody else managed more than 6. South's Tyrell Williams scored 21 and four other Colts scored in double figures.

Pueblo South 65, Pueblo West 42

South 19 14 17 15 - 65
West 19 12 7 4 - 42

West: Fillmore 11, Thiele 6, Larson 6, Halley 6, Roumph 4, Drake 4, Williams 3, Montera 2.

Alamosa 76, Pueblo West 60

West 7 10 18 25 - 60
Alamosa 18 17 18 23 - 76

West: Halley 12, Fillmore 11, Thiele 10, Drake 9, Larson 8, Williams 6, Montera 3, Roumph 1.

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