The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Big three-game stretch this week
[ by Than Acuff ]
While the last two home games for the Crested Butte Titans were rescheduled, they did manage to get in a game on the road last week when they headed to Ouray on Tuesday, January 18 and handed the Trojans a 65-44 loss.
The Titans came out of the holiday break refreshed and ready to embrace their overall game plan cruising to a 66-25 win over Trinidad. They got an extra boost when starting senior Grayson White returned from an ankle injury and continued to step up their game against Ouray.
“That was the first game back with Grayson and having him back was a huge lift,” says coach Hannes Gehring.
The Titans opened the game with a play to set up White for an easy basket inside and they took off from there building a 14-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.
They continued to find success on offense both inside and out as the senior trio of White, Alan Prieto and Erik Wasinger got into rhythm leading the Titans to a 17-point second quarter for a 31-17 lead at halftime.
“Gray, Alan and Erik have started on varsity since they were sophomores and it was evident they just had a feel for where each other was going to be,” says Gehring.
The Titans slowed down in the third quarter but kept Ouray in check and then Crested Butte stepped it up in the fourth quarter to score 25 points and finish Ouray off 65-44.
“Our press did a good job of speeding them up,” says Gehring. “Sometimes you don’t get the steal, but it forces the other team to play faster than they want.”
Wasinger led the team with 26 points, Prieto scored 19 and White dropped in 11 in his first game back.
“We shot well and part of that was getting really good looks,” says Gehring. “We moved the ball well and we stayed out of foul trouble. While playing physical they played really smart.”
While the wins are great, having home games rescheduled did still weigh on the team. Gehring has made a point of keeping things in a positive light.
“Morale is a little low because our home games keep getting rescheduled, but we have to be grateful we have a season and focus on them being rescheduled and not cancelled,” says Gehring.
The Titans have a big three-game stretch this week including two road games against bigger non-league schools and a home game against league opponent Sargent on Friday, January 28. The girl’s varsity tip off is at 5:30 p.m. with the boy’s varsity set to start at 7 p.m.
“We have a good opportunity this week to see what we’re made of,” says Gehring.
