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Eagle Bear Brewer is surrounded by Bulldogs as he takes the ball to the bucket in Dayton's 54-48 league win over SJEL last weekend. Bulldogs Beau Hazelbaker (2), Denver Hutchens (12) and Colton Steinhoff (21) are in on the play.
Colton Steinhoff prevailed in the opening tip.
Beau Hazelbaker got a steal and solo lay up.
Denver Hutchens opened with a three point attempt that missed.
TEKOA–The Bulldogs are off and running with three wins and a loss in their opening week of 2024-25 basketball action.
The Dawgs opened with a 41-31 win over Highland on the home court, then dropped a 69-34 decision to Granger the next day. Last Friday St. John-Endicott/Lacrosse came to town and limped away with a 54-48 loss at the Bulldogs' hands. At Tekoa-Rosalia, Dayton registered a 64-29 win.
They faced Touchet last Tuesday and host Pomeroy Friday before venturing to Garfield-Palouse Saturday.
At T-R, the Dawgs jumped to a 15-10 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading 37-21 at half.
"We were able to come out with a lot of focus to start the game and avoiding a let down from Friday night," said Head Coach Clayton Strong. "I thought we did better in longer stretches of moving the basketball which led to good shots. We were able to play a lot of kids tonight which was nice way to finish off the week. We know we still have a lot to work on still but we are happy with the progress we are making going forward."
Hosting SJEL Friday, the Eagles blew ahead in the early minutes while the Bulldogs struggled to find the basket, finishing the first quarter behind 13-7 and an Eagle press.
Both teams pressed in the second quarter as the Dawgs fell into a rhythm, rallying to trail by 26-21 at the break.
The Eagles kept a five- to seven-point cushion early on, but Bulldogs Denver Hutchens, Beau Hazelbaker and Jordan McCowen drained threes to make it a three-point ball game, then tie it 36 all at the four minute mark. The Dawgs finished the third ahead 42-40.
"We had a really good gut check on Friday," Strong said. "We dug ourselves an early hole that we had to dig out of but the boys didn't panic and stayed engaged. We were able to chip at the lead and, as we did, the intensity increased.
"This led to better defense and better offensive possessions," Strong noted. "I thought we also did a good job of limiting offensive rebounds."
Dayton managed to keep the four-point lead through the middle part of the fourth period, leading 52-46 with 2:18 remaining. Though the Dawgs weren't scoring, the Eagles weren't hitting either.
The Dawgs had their paws full at Granger, a 69-39 loss. "We got sped up by their quickness and it bothered us," Strong said. "We did some good things that we can build upon but a lot of things we have to clean up. Compared to where we were a year ago when we played them, we have come a long way."
The Bulldogs downed Highland 41-31 in the home season opener. Hutchens swished a pair of three pointers to open the first quarter and he and McCowen boosted the team's fortunes with prolific scoring in the second quarter.
"It was a good season opener for us considering we got the win and this was after they blew us out the year before," Strong said. "We played well in stretches but still are in the learning process of playing with a lead. We were overall pleased but want to learn lessons from the game that will hopefully benefit us down the road."
Dayton 64, T-R 29 (12-7)
Day 15 22 23 4-64
TR 10 11 2 6-29
Dayton (64) Hazelbaker 4, Czapka 5, Yutzy 8, Hutchens 29, Mccowne 20, Steinhoff 2. Free throws: 13/16-81%.
T-R (29) W. Bryan 3, S. Braun 3, B. Place 6, J. Gump 5, J. Bauman 3, S. Rerecich 2, T. Weldy 4. Free throws: 1/7-14%.
Dayton 54, SJEL 48 (12-6)
Day 7 14 21 12-54
SJ 13 13 14 8-48
Dayton (54) Hazelbaker 12, Czapka 1, Hutchens 21, McCowen 13, Steinhoff 2, Potthoff 3, Collier 2. Free throws: 12/20-60%.
SJEL (48) B. Thomas 4, B. Breewer 20, C. Harder 2, T. Pierson 5, B. Fleming 7, J. Hergert 1. Free throws: 9/19-47%.
Granger 69, Dayton 34 (12-4)
Day 8 6 14 6-34
Gr 20 22 15 12-69
Dayton (34) Hazelbaker 5, Yutzy 1, Hutchens 18, McCowen 3, Yost 3, Steinhoff 4, Collier 1. Free throws: 3/8-38%.
Granger (69) B. Brown 9, A. Heckert 7, J. Tauira 2, D. Casillas 6, J. Castro 27, S. Brown 6, E. Hamilton 6, J. Ramirez 4, L. Golab 2. Free throws: 7/10-70%.
Dayton 41, Highland 31 (12-3)
Day 13 10 9 9-41
Hi 6 8 9 8-31
Highland (31) A. Vazquez-Zamura 1, C. Alvarado 8, P. Mendoza Jr. 8, A. Clements 6, A. Keith 2, I. Lopez-Jaramillo 4. Free throws: 3/6-50%.
Dayton (41) Hazelbaker 4, Yutzy 4, Potter 1, Hutchens 19, McCowen 9, Steinhoff 2, Potthoff 2. Free throws: 10/16-68%.
