Young Dawgs downed by Granger Spartans 78-28

GRANGER–After the young Dayton Bulldogs adjusted to the speed of varsity basketball and settled down, they turned in a better second-quarter performance and finished the season opener here with a lop-sided 78-28 margin.

The Dawgs faced Highland at home last Tuesday (results next week) and will visit St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse on Friday before hosting the Pirates of Pomeroy on Saturday.

Jack Zanger scored seven to lead the Bulldogs, with Beau Hazelbaker with six, Denver Hutchens with five, Jordan McCowen and Colton Steinhoff each making four points.

Granger's Julian Castro was hot as a fire cracker and Mathew Heckart wasn't far behind, the duo exploding for 21 of Granger's 25 first-quarter points. Castro would go on to score a game-high 29 with Heckert tossing in 22 points.

Hutchens swished a three pointer to highlight the first quarter for Dayton, then they teamed up to score 13 in the second period, Zanger draining a trey.

For both teams, the third quarter was a let down and almost a draw-7-6 and Granger wrapped the win with a 14-4 fourth quarter.

"For the first game and given the score, I was extremely happy with how hard we played from start to finish," observed Head Coach Clayton Strong. "As we settled in, the speed of the game slowed down for us and we were able to do some really good things.

"We do have a lot to work on," he said, "but we are excited about what we saw and where we can go as we get some of the things that need worked on fixed."

Granger 78, Dayton 28 (12-2)

Day 5 13 6 4-28

Grg 35 22 7 14-78

Dayton (28) Beau Hazelbaker 6, Silas Czapka 2, Jordan McCowen 4, Denver Hutchens 5, Colton Steinhoff 4, Jack Zanger 7. Free throws: 2/11-18%. FG(2)-10.40-25%. FG(3)-2/9-22%

Granger (78) M. Heckert 22, J. Castro 29, E. Asher 6, C. Delgado 3, J. Maldanado 16. Free throws: 12/15-80%. FG(2)-21/43-49%. FG(3)-8/20-40%.