Prospectors’ timid play leads them to defeat against Darby

HAMILTON – The Granite Prospectors were unable to get in sync early, falling to Darby 69-46 in their Winner’s Bracket Semifinal of the District 13C Tournament. The game was played Friday in Hamilton.

“We came out scored,” said GHS Head Coach Mindy Avila after the loss. “I think they were a little too focused on Hooper and not enough on everyone else.”

The game opened with Granite (8-11) not hitting from outside and its inside game almost nonexistent. Meanwhile Darby (15-4) was hot and established a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter with an 18-4 run. The Tigers kept the pressure up in the second, outscoring the Prospectors 20-11 for a 38-15 margin.

Granite would make temporary cuts into the lead throughout the second half, but never get closer than 19.

Just before the end of the third quarter 8th grader Jake Dauenhauer injured his hand while attempting to block a shot on a Darby breakaway. He left the game and did not return.

Andrew Tallon scored 19 points lead Granite, with Cavan Babbitt adding 10 and Cayhel White nine. Babbitt also finished with a team-high nine rebounds.

Cullen Duggan was the top scorer in the game with 20 for the Tigers.

The defeat puts the Prospectors into the Consolation Bracket where they will play Lincoln Saturday morning at 9 a.m. That game will take place in the Hamilton Middle School Gymnasium.

Darby advances to the Winner’s Bracket Championship at 6 p.m. Saturday against the winner of the Drummond-Seeley Swan game in the other semifinal.

SCORING

Granite – 4/11/15/16 – 46

Darby – 18/20/18/13 – 69

Granite – Pitcher 6, Tallon 19, Babbitt 10, White 9, Griswold 2

Darby – Duggan 20, Huntley 9, Gabric 21, Reed 13, Polson 6