On Thursday, Jan. 17 when the no. 2 team in 3A South, Safford, met the San Carlos Braves, no. 7, in 2A South, the outcome was not in much doubt, although the Braves stayed within three of the Bulldogs through the first quarter. In the second quarter, they stayed within nine points with a halftime score of 21-29.

In the second half the Bulldogs fetched the game and ran away with it, scoring 41 points to the Braves’ 25. For a final score of 70-46.

In the first quarter, the Braves denied Safford for several possessions before Eliah Victor scored a 3-point basket with 6:48 remaining in the quarter, stopping Safford on their next possession.

The Braves tossed the ball around the periphery, vainly trying to penetrate the Bulldog defense. The Bulldogs came back with a three of their own, and the score was 3-3.

Cameron Mull’s shot was blocked, and the next shot’s rebound went into the hands of the Bulldogs who could not do anything with it. The Brave’s next possession ended in a turnover, which ended with a missed Bulldog 3-pointer.

This went on until the dogs scored another 3-point basket with 2:38 left in the quarter. The Braves tossed the ball around the edges of the key until they lost it out of bounds. Further disasters attended each team’s possessions until Lewis Ironshell scored a second Brave three. Bulldog, Andrew Smith, scored a third 3-pointer. Score 9-6 for the Bulldogs at the end of the quarter.

After a muddle of Brave and Bulldog missed shots and turnovers, Ironshell tied the game with a 3-pointer and followed that with a layup to put San Carlos ahead 9-11.

The dogs came back with a layup of their own to tie the game. Then the dogs scored another three to put them ahead 14-11. Bulldog no. 24, Chavez drew a foul and missed both free throws. Then a Bulldog laid one up to put them ahead 16-11.

Victor shot for three to make the score 16-14. Mull was fouled making a shot that loopily went in, tying the game 16-16 and then going ahead with the free-throw, 16-17. Victor made two more free throws to put San Carlos ahead 16-19.

So far, the Braves were holding their own. But the Bulldogs hit for two: score,18-19, and Smith made one. Score 20-19. The Braves replied. Score 20-21.

But a Bulldog was fouled making a basket and made the free-throw putting the dogs ahead 23-21. A Safford layup put them at 25-21 with 55 seconds left in the half. The Dogs then scored twice to make the half-time score 29-21.

In the third quarter the Bulldogs surged away building their lead to 23 points, 44-21. The Braves rallied to bring the lead back down to 14: score, 46-32, but the Dogs surged again, ending the third quarter 20 points ahead, 54-34.

In the fourth quarter the Braves kept the lead from expanding until Safford surged again bringing the lead to 26 points, 70-44 with 40 seconds left ,when Justin Bread reduced their lead to 24 with the last basket of the game.

Coach Antonio gives advice to Lewis Ironshell.

Bread drains a bucket for the last score of game.