Douglas County Varsity Boys Basketball Falls to Denver East in Season Opener

December 11, 2024

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The Douglas County Varsity Boys Basketball team kicked off their 2024-2025 season on December 11th in the ThunderRidge/Chaparral Tournament with a tough matchup against Denver East. Despite a strong start, the Huskies fell to the Angels 71-50, leaving them with an 0-1 record to start the season.

The game began on a high note for Douglas County, as they came out of the gates with energy and precision, building a 19-14 lead after the first quarter. Vaughn Baldwin showcased his all-around game, contributing 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, while Gavin Dale added 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. Karson Smukler also chipped in with 9 points, helping the Huskies gain early momentum.

However, the second quarter proved disastrous for Douglas County. Denver East turned up the intensity on both ends of the court, capitalizing on the Huskies' turnovers, missed free throws, and poor shot selection. The Angels outscored Douglas County 31-3 in the second quarter, completely flipping the game and heading into halftime with a commanding lead.

Despite the sizable deficit, Douglas County fought valiantly in the second half. Baldwin continued to lead by example with his defensive hustle and playmaking ability, while the rest of the team worked to close the gap. However, the damage done in the second quarter proved insurmountable, and Denver East maintained control to seal the 71-50 victory.

Head Coach Mike Gibbs acknowledged the challenges the team faced in their opener. “We started strong, but we let the game slip away in the second quarter. Turnovers and missed opportunities really hurt us. We’ll take this as a learning experience and focus on improving for our next game.”

The Huskies will look to rebound quickly as they prepare to take on Rocky Mountain High School on Friday, December 13th. The team is eager to put the loss behind them and secure their first win of the season.

While the result wasn’t what Douglas County hoped for, the effort and flashes of strong play offer a foundation for growth as the season progresses. Fans can expect the Huskies to come out determined in their next outing.