Savage Boys and Girls Basketball Recap for Jan 31- Feb 2

Savages drop fourth straight, prepare for La Junta

With their Friday night game against Ellicott postponed by snowy weather, the Lamar Savages tried to break their losing streak on Saturday against James Irwin. Things looked good midway through the contest, with the score tied at 30. After the break, however, the course of the game took a quick downward turn for the Savages.

The Jaguars were able to gain a bit of separation with a 13-7 third period, but the levee broke in the fourth. Lamar was able to put up its biggest quarter of the game, scoring 19, but the Savages had no answer for their hosts, who tallied 30 in the frame to earn the victory, 73-56.

Lamar’s focus now shifts to its rivalry game with La Junta on Friday night at the Community Building. The Tigers took a 59-52 victory over the Savages in LJ back on Jan. 11. A road trip to Pueblo Centennial is also on tap for Saturday. Lamar’s last victory came against the Bulldogs, 57-54, on Jan. 17.

Even Mother Nature can’t slow down Lady Savages

How hot are the Lamar Lady Savages? Even having last Friday’s games with Ellicott snowed out could not cool them off. Lamar picked up its 14th straight win to open the season by drubbing James Irwin, 63-30, last Saturday.

Lamar was a bit sluggish at the start, scoring 10 and 13 points in the first two frames, but the defense held the Lady Jaguars to a total of nine points in that span. After the intermission, the offense got cranked up. The Lady Savages were in control, 38-17 heading into the fourth quarter, and they put the game well out of reach with a 25-13 advantage in the period. It was their ninth win by at least 30 points this season.

Friday night, the Lady Savages host La Junta at the Community Building. It will be the third meeting of the season between the rivals. Lamar defeated the Lady Tigers 56-45 in the championship of the Holiday Shoot-out in LJ back in early December, with Taylor Wertz and Chelsea Vallejos each scoring 21 points. Back on Jan. 11, the Lady Savages earned a 62-38 win, with Vallejos and Courtney Clark each scoring 20 points, and Wertz chipping in a dozen.

Waiting in the wings on Saturday is Pueblo Centennial. The Lady Bulldogs felt the sting of defeat in Lamar on Jan. 17, 67-22. Vallejos put up 27 points in that contest to lead the Lady Savages.

By Kerry Sherman

Kerry Sherman and his wife, Colleen, moved to Lamar in August of 2013, from Anton, Colorado, to cover Southeastern Colorado high schools for Colorado Preps. Kerry is in his third year of streaming high school sports online for Colorado Preps, and this is his 23rd year of covering high schools for various print and online outlets throughout Colorado. He also has nine years of coaching experience, with the boys basketball programs at Woodlin and Otis.