Coyotes earn first win in nearly three seasons; Fall to North Country, Scobey

The Dodson Coyotes have picked up their first win in over two seasons after defeating the Chinook Sugarbeeters JV 40-37 in Dodson after an overtime period last Monday, January 18. The team lost their next game to the North Country Mavericks on Thursday night in Dodson and another to Scobey last Saturday.

Dodson Head Coach Wes KillEagle Jr., saw a difference in his young team during their first win.

"The difference was that they were hungrier this game and they played as a team," he told the PCN. "They weren't worried about fouls, or this or that."

Tyrese Messerly, who had 10 points, led Dodson. Both Gavin Fox and Cleo Cole had seven points apiece. David Jaynes had six points.

Stephen Ereaux, Jasper Doney, Shaun Ball and Corbin LoneBear each had two points.

Dodson had a solid first half in which they scored 15 points in the first quarter, while only giving up 12 points. The Coyotes widened their lead in the second quarter scoring 13 points, while only giving up six. The Coyotes had their first halftime lead of the season, which was 28-18.

"We were completely patient in the first half," Coach KillEagle said. "We came out and passed the ball around, waited for openings to happen and didn't force shots."

The team faced adversity trying to hold onto the lead and eventually lost it by the end of the third period, a period in which the team did not score a single bucket, while giving up 11 points. The score at the end of the quarter was 29-28.

Dodson turned up the intensity defensively, only allowing six points, while scoring seven.

A Chinook player hit the game tying shot that sent the game into overtime.

Fox hit a three pointer putting Dodson up by three, it would be enough as the only other points for both teams came from the charity stripe. Fox hit one free throw and Cole hit the other. The final score was 40-37.

"It felt pretty good," senior captain Lane Walling said.

Shaun Ball shared his thoughts on his first win as a Coyote as well.

"It felt pretty good," Ball said. "I'm only an eighth grader, so I hope to get more."

Before the team's win, Coach KillEagle decided to do something the team has never done.

"Before the game, right after school, I had them all meet at my house," Coach KillEagle said. "We went over the film from the last time we played Chinook."

The meeting had a dual purpose. It did allow them to study Chinook's JV squad but it also put them in a positive mindset. The team didn't go to the gym until halftime of the Lady Coyotes game.

"They didn't let the crowd or anything interfere with their focus," Coach KillEagle said noting that they may study game film before future games. "We've got a crowd that likes to yell at the refs. If I can keep them away from that negativity and keep them focused, we're good."

He went on to say that the crowd needs to encourage the kids and not worry about the calls from the referees.

In the team's loss to the Mavericks the score was 61-22. The Coyotes were led by Doney, who scored six points. Messerly had five points, Wing had four points, Cole and Jaynes had three points each and Steven Ereaux had one point.

In the team's 73-31 loss to the Scobey Spartans, Wing led the team with nine points. Fox and Cole had seven points each. Doney had six points. Messerly had two points.