It was a big weekend in Nucla High School sports. In the Dove Creek basketball tournament, the girls and the guys both won against Monticello on Friday advancing to the finals.
The girls beat the Buckaroos, 39-30, in that first game. The Lady Mustangs lost, unfortunately, in the championship game on Saturday to Dove Creek, 24-54.
Head coach for the girls Zandon Bray said both games were “tales of two halves.” According to him, the girls didn’t start strong with the Monticello game, but dominated the second half. For Dove Creek, it was the opposite. The girls played well initially, but things fell apart in the second half.
“We are still trying to get to that part of playing well all four quarters,” Bray said. “We’re striving for that, playing well all four quarters.”
The guys basketball team beat Monticello, 46-25, also making it to the championship game. They fell to Telluride by two points, however, in the finals, 38-40. Steele Arnold was high scorer both nights.
“It was a great weekend for the guys,” said head coach Kelly Arnold. “They played well, and they are learning every single game.”
He said the guys had a few errors that cost them in the end. Overall, he’s happy with the guys’ performance on the court.
“We lost a game, but we are playing well,” he added.
At the same time, the Mustang wrestlers competed at the Warrior Classic in Grand Junction, which turned out to be a tough tournament for the guys. There, 41 teams were on the mats, and some guys from 5A schools were participating.
Nucla came in 22nd overall, and Arthur Connelly came in third place in his class; JW Nasland was fourth.
Now, all competition is finished until the new year begins, and the Mustangs move into their new school and the gyms.
For the elementary and middle school kids, through Montrose West Recreation’s youth wrestling program, the kids are coached by Freddy Smith and Tryllen Richards. Approximately 20 kids in grades three through eight are out for the sport this year. The kids competed in Fruita over the weekend. JD Johnson, of Norwood, took a first place in his class; so did Hunter Johnson, of the West End.
The kids practice Tuesdays and Thursdays and have already had other tournaments in Palisade and Montrose. Currently competing in the lower age group are Xaden Caruso, Jonah Richardson, Hunter Johnson, JD Johnson, Austin Shurtz, Cooper Shurtz, Oscar Cooper, Lochlan Shultz, Gage Morris, Wyatt Weimer, Kyndle Weimer, Loudyn Galley and Emily Johnson.
In other recreation news, Montrose West Recreation announced a Ski & Snowboard Club update. Online registration can be found online at form.jotform.com/233174348242151. The program will now include fourth and fifth grades too. All participating kids in grades fourth through 12th must have some previous experience on the mountain. There are no scholarships available this season. Sign-up is due by Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.
