Coyotes start 2020 with two wins

The Dodson Coyotes opened the decade with back-to-back blowout victories as the team made short work of the Turner Tornadoes and Nashua Porcupines last weekend.

“We played good defense and offense,” senior captain Shaun Ball told the PCN.

Senior co-captain Corbin LoneBear echoed Ball’s words.

“We were just going hard on defense,” LoneBear said. “We tried to press them to get them confused and after that, we would go at them, drive-in, and attack.”

The team is off to a great start and with Ball and LoneBear being seniors, they want to do something Dodson hasn’t done in a long time.

“We want to go to state,” Ball said.

In the game that nearly did not happen last Saturday, January 4, due to a blackout prior to the game, the Dodson Coyotes throttled the Nashua Porcupines 70-37 in the Coyote Den.

The power first went out during the girls’ varsity game and thanks to power from the school’s backup generator, games were able to continue without the use of the scoreboard.

The power went out again during the boys’ varsity warmups. Leaving MOA officials, the fans, coaches, and players wondering if there was going to be a game that night, but after a fifteen-minute intermission in the dark, the power was fully restored.

“It was kind of fun,” LoneBear said. “The lights messed up Nashua right away. It was a first for us too!”

Despite the conditions, the coaching staff kept the Coyotes focused.

“They said just keep stretching and stay warm,” Ball said.

After the power was back, The teams warmed up and the game commenced. Dodson’s defense was dominant but the team had only amassed a four point lead. The score at the end of the first was 12-8.

“We just kept pressuring them,” Ball said.

The Coyotes defensive intensity grew in the second quarter giving the Coyotes plenty of extra possessions which led to a 26-6 run in the second quarter. In the first half, LoneBear had two crowd pleasing dunks, his fourth and fifth of the weekend. LoneBear was asked about the altitude above the rim.

“It was good,” LoneBear said with a smile.

Though it was confirmed Ball can dunk the ball, he doesn’t do it as effortlessly as LoneBear. Ball was still asked what slam dunks do for the team.

“It brings momentum,” Ball said. “It gets everybody pumped. That’s what starts our runs; dunks.”

Dodson’s defense continued to play tough into the second half, only surrendering ten points in the third and eight in the fourth. Dodson scored 23 in the third and nine in the fourth.

Dodson was led by LoneBear who had 21 points. Ball had 14 points. Alex Werk had eight points. Zarek Jones and Jeramiah Benson each had seven points and Dwight Werk had six.

In Dodson’s blowout victory over Turner, Dodson was led by LoneBear who had 24 points. Benson had 12 points. Ball and Werk each had eight points.

Though the team is off to a great start, they know that there is always something to work on, and the captains were asked what their emphasis would likely be.

“Personally my shooting and my free throws,” LoneBear said.

Ball said that he also needs to work on his jump shot.