Central Oregonian

Loggers drop pair of contests

Mitchell blown out by Dayville/Monument, Prairie City on opening weekend of High Desert League play

Lon Austin

January 14, 2013

It was not the way the Mitchell Loggers hoped to start their league season.

Playing at home, on the opening weekend of High Desert League play, the Loggers were blasted by the Dayville/Monument Tigers, and the Prairie City Panthers over the weekend.

“We learned some stuff,” said Mitchell head coach Cy Miller following Saturday’s game. “We got better. That was probably the only highlight.”

On Friday night, the Loggers fell behind early and never recovered as they fell, 63-15, to the Tigers.

Dayville/Monument jumped out to a commanding 22-2 lead at the end of the first period as Mitchell struggled to find their shooting range.

“We kind of live and die by the three a little bit,” Miller said. “And today we definitely died.”

The Loggers trailed 40-11 at the half. The Tigers went heavily to their bench in the second half, but were still able to extend their league.

Dayville/Monument was led by Colten Winters, who scored a game-high 12 points.

Toby Lindquist led Mitchell in scoring with five points, while Bryce Jorgensen and Tino Espinoza each scored three.

Saturday was more of the same as the Loggers fell 54-20 to the Panthers.

Prairie City jumped out to a 20-4 first quarter lead and never looked back as they coasted to the easy victory.

After falling behind 32-6 in the first half, the Loggers played better in the second half. Still they were outscored 22-14 in the half.

Mitchell was just 6-55 from the floor in the contest. In addition, they were outrebounded 57-27 by the taller Prairie City Panthers.

Cole Hoberg, a 6-4 post led the Panthers in scoring with 18, while 5-9 guard Mack Clark pitched in with 15.

Mitchell was led by Tino Espinoza with seven while Lindquist added five, and Brett Domenighini, who was in foul trouble most of the contest, pitched in with four.

“They are definitely the cream of our side of the league,” Miller said of Dayville/Monument and Prairie City. “Our first two league games and we got the one and two seeds. We are fighting for third with a couple of other people.

Mitchell (5-6 overall, 0-2 league) travel to Long Creek on Friday, then return home Saturday to take on the Spray Eagles in a 7:30 p.m. game.

Friday, Jan. 11

Dayville/Monument 63, Mitchell 15

at Mitchell

Dayville/Monument (63) — Colten Winters 12, Blakeslee 10, Bule 8, Bowlus 4, Cooper 5, Shafer 7, Rowell 6, Emerson 4, Flower 5, Jewell 2. Totals 22 10-16, 63.

Mitchell (15) — Toby Lindquist 5, Jorgensen 3, Espinoza 3, Domenighini 2, Szwedowski 2, Nocol, Orozco Torres, Fischer. Totals 5 2-4 14.

Dayville/Monument 22 18 10 12 — 63

Mitchell 2 9 3 1 — 15

Three-point goals — Dayville/Monument: Winters; Mitchell: Jorgensen, Espinoza, Lindquist.

Saturday, Jan. 12

Prairie City 54, Mitchell 20

at Mitchell

Prairie City (54) — Cole Hoberg 18, Clark 15, Ceja 3, Dahlen 2, Hitz 2, Stewart 7, McClung 6, Camerena, Gillihan, Hall. Totals 21 9-17 54.

Mitchell (20) – Tino Espinoza 7, Domenighini 4, Lindquist 5, Nicol 2, Jorgensen, Orozco Torres, Fischer. Totals 9 0-2 20.

Prairie City 20 12 8 14 — 54

Mitchell 4 2 8 6 — 20

Three-point goals — Prairie City: Clark 2, Ceja; Mitchell: Espinosa, Lindquist.