DELTA (2/7/14) — The Mojo returned just in time for the Glenwood boys, who won a critical road game in Delta, fighting back from injury and illness that led to offensive woes and three losses in six games. The Lady Demons survived the injury bug also, as well as an early challenge from Delta, destroying the Panthers in the second half to run their record to 16-0.
GLENWOOD BOYS 64, DELTA 49
Even before the Demons lost their two leading scorers for essentially three games, Glenwood’s offense seemed to have sleeping sickness, beginning with a 54-49 loss to Delta at home that halted an 8-game winning streak that started the season. Except for an 86-49 explosion at Roaring Fork (featuring 40 points by Cam Horning, who then scored in double figures only once in the next 6 games), the Demons failed to reach 60 points in 7 of their last 8 games — 4 of them losses.
That stretch saw Glenwood (13-4, 8-3 WSL) tumble out of first place, in danger of falling to fourth had they lost in Delta (8-8, 6-4). Jared Gambrel, who had to assume the scoring burden with Horning and Brian Burbidge out for most of the last three games, helped the Demons recover from an early 6-point deficit, going off for 14 first-quarter points on the way to a 25-point performance.
Gambrel scored the Demons’ final 9 points as they rallied to lead 20-18 after one period. Zach Peterson, who would score 15 and pull down 11 boards, broke a 20-20 tie with a 3-pointer in the first 30 seconds of the second quarter, and Glenwood held that lead the rest of the game.
Six players scored in the period as the Demons took a 34-26 halftime lead. Gambrel popped a couple of 3-pointers, scoring half of Glenwood’s 16 points in the third for a 50-35 lead, and Horning and Peterson each added 6 in the final frame for a 64-49 win.
Horning, who hadn’t scored in double figures in the last 6 league games (two of which he missed due to illness), had 14 for the game, including 10 points, 3 steals, and 3 assists in the second half, signaling a much-needed return of his energetic leadership.
Pete Steckler helped offset Will Gray’s foul-plagued game by combining with Peterson to limit the output of Delta’s front line of 6-6 Cade Gafford (one point and 3 rebounds after the first quarter), 6-6 Eian Baier (who did go for 12 and 12, but only 3 boards after halftime), and 6-4 Ryan Whiteside (12 points, 5 in the final 3 quarters and 2 rebounds).
Steckler had 8 rebounds as did Brian Burbidge, in his first game back from concussion symptoms, and the Demons outboarded the Panthers, 46-30.
GLENWOOD GIRLS 56, DELTA 31
After a sizzling 11-2 start, the undefeated and 4th-ranked Lady Demons were outscored 12-0 in a second-quarter stretch to fall behind 16-15 before rallying behind two 3-pointers by Jordan DeCrow, coming off the bench due to a painful foot injury, to lead by four, 23-19 at intermission.
In the second half, the Demons repeatedly sliced through the Panther press for layups, forced 13 turnovers, holding Delta to 6 points in each quarter, while scoring 33 for a 56-31 win.
Delaney Gaddis scored a dozen in the second half domination, finishing with 16 for the game, along with 6 steals. Madi Spence, who had 7 in the first quarter to spark the fast start, but was scoreless in the second period, recovered to have 14 points and 14 rebounds for the game.
Laura McDermott had a strong all-around game, scoring 8, with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Hailey Armstrong had 6 points and 8 rebounds, helping the Demons to a 40-25 domination on the boards.
Glenwood (16-0, 11-0 WSL) hosts Battle Mountain Saturday before finishing the regular season next week against the two teams tied for second place, Palisade (10-6, 7-3) and Rifle (7-7, 7-3).
