Schmalz, Weirath shine in Tigers' win over Horizon

The Grand Junction High School boys basketball team improved to 2-0 this season with a 70-59 win on Friday over Horizon during the second day of the Warrior Challenge, hosted at Central.

Senior shooting guard Noah Schmalz was the top scorer for the Tigers, putting up 20 points amid a night of strong 3-point shooting. Sophomore Will Weirath lagged not far behind with an additional 19 points to help bolster his early season breakout.

The Tigers will put their undefeated record on the line again Saturday as they square off against Pueblo Central; tipoff for the contest is slated for 2 p.m. and will be the final game of the season-opening tournament.

Palisade also collected its first win of the season Friday, upending Monarch 73-56 at Central.

The win was the season opener for the Bulldogs, who were the lone District 51 team not in action Thursday because of travel issues with their scheduled opponent, Pueblo Central.

Central couldn't find their first win of the season Friday night, falling 70-56 to Pueblo Central at home. The Warriors fell to 0-2 with the loss.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Fruita Monument defeated Mesa Ridge 53-16 on Thursday in Pueblo.

The Wildcats outscored their opponents in all four quarters of the contest. After opening a 23-7 lead at the half, Fruita Monument found a second gear offensively in the third quarter, adding another 20 points in the frame to put the game entirely out of hand. Mesa Ridge only managed two points in both the first and fourth quarter of Friday’s game.

Sophie Emerson led the way with 15 point and Hailee Wagner added 14. Alivia Hopkins also scored in double figures with 10 points.

Central couldn’t grab the upper hand in their matchup Friday, losing 41-34 to Gunnison on the road at Pagosa Springs. The Warriors fell to 0-2 with the loss. Their next opportunity to get in the win column will come next Thursday when they face Denver North; tipoff for the non-league contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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Palisade picked up its second win in as many days, knocking off Steamboat 48-22 at home Friday.

Despite a slow start that saw the Bulldogs enjoy just a five-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, Palisade turned on the gas in the second quarter, scoring 22 points to pull away. The Bulldogs’ leading scorer, junior Mady Bavor, dropped 21 points in the winning effort.

HOCKEY

Caprock Academy lost 7-2 to Steamboat Springs on Friday at River City Sportplex.

The Sailors led 2-0 after the first period and then scored the first goal of the second period. The Eagles pulled within 3-2 after Parker Shahan scored a short-handed goal and Justin Lee scored an even-strength goal, but Steamboat Springs scored once more in the third period and three times in the third to put the game away.

WRESTLING

The District 51 Phoenix are in second place in the team standings after the first day of the Skyhawks Showdown in Salem Hills, Utah.

Seven Phoenix wrestlers are in the semifinals in their respective weight classes.

Harleigh Prater won all three of her matches at 125 pounds by pin — all in under 3 minutes. At 130, Shyann Page also pinned all three of her opponents, with the longest match lasting 91 seconds. Violet Gray wrestled four times at 135 to advance to the semifinals. Rya Burke pinned her three opponents at 140 to advance to the semifinals as did Shylee Tuzon at 170.

In the 155 bracket, District 51 is guaranteed to have a finalist as both Clara Denton-Baleztena and Claris McCoy advanced to the semifinals and the teammates will face off today for a chance at the title.