Coyotes pick up district win over Nashua prior to Winter Break

The Dodson Coyotes basketball team saw their last action of the calendar year, and the team split games against Class C opponents last week.

The Coyotes were unable to hold onto a four-quarter lead in their loss to the Turner Tornadoes on Monday, December 20, and lost 54-49. The team bounced back with a dominant 72-37 win over the Nashua Porcupines on Wednesday, December 22, in Nashua.

“It was great to see, for an extended period of time, the type of team that we could be,” Coach Ro Wiggins said. “No offense to (any team) but I think that we make some games and moments too big for themselves. If they could just calm down and play the game that they could play since before they could even walk, whether it’s a win or a loss, we will get the best possible version of ourselves.”

Coach Wiggins spoke highly of Kadin Racine, a guard and team captain, who has left everything on the court.

“I feel like it’s starting to get contagious to other players like Alex (Werk), and Mikey (Jaynes),” Coach Wiggins said. “They are starting to trust each other more, share the ball more, and we are trending in the right direction.”

The Coyotes will observe a Christmas break, and will not see another game in 2021. They kick off things in 2022, with a home game against the Roy-Winifred Outlaws on Friday, January 7. The game will be only Dodson’s second home game of the regular season.

Until then, the Coyotes will be holding practices throughout Christmas break. After having a few games this season either canceled or postponed, the Coyotes haven’t had as many on-court minutes as other teams in the conference. So, during the break, the team will hold scrimmages as well as other offensive drills.

In Dodson’s win over Nashua, the Coyotes were led by Kadin Racine, who had 18 points. Alex Werk had 15 points, Michael Jaynes had 12 points, Junior Stiffarm had seven points, Cash KillEagle and Mason LoneBear each had six points, Sebastian Best and Tanner Ball each had four points.

The Coyotes outscored Nashua 27-4 in the first quarter and 23-12 in the second quarter. Dodson scored the first 11 points of the game. Dodson added 15 to their tally in the third quarter, while holding Nashua to 6. Nashua had a 15-7 run in the fourth.

Dodson knocked down 11 treys in the win. They also knocked down 7-of-12 free throw attempts.

The win came one night after their frustrating loss to Turner.

“We take it one game at a time,” Coach Wiggins said.

He also said that it was okay to be frustrated about a loss, but when it is time for the next game, they have to focus on the game they are playing.

“We wanted to go into the break with a win, and our first district win,” Coach Wiggins said. “We had lost to Scobey and didn’t get to play North Country. So I said, let’s go get a win and let’s go leave it all out there on the court. Sure enough, my team responded.”

Three starters fouled out late in their loss to Turner, despite having an eight-point lead, the Coyotes were unable to hold on and lost 54-49.

“It seemed like they were letting both teams play,” Coach Wiggins said. “I can see how both teams were confused after the style play that the referees allowed. They let it get physical for a few minutes and then there would be some ticky-tack fouls.”

The Coyotes were led by A. Werk, who had 21 points. Racine had 11 points. Jaynes had 10 points, Best had four points, Chaske Cliff had two points, and KillEagle had one point.

Despite the loss, Coach Wiggins believes that the atmosphere of the game was good for his team to play in and learn.

“I told my team that it was good for us to experience what it felt like to come back in that Hays game(earlier this season), to experience that triumph of overcoming and winning, but it was also good for us to fight back in that Turner game to fight back and get the short end of the stick. It builds character for us moving forward.”