Bulldogs off to good start

ST. IGNATIUS - Mission showed tenacity this weekend as they went

2-0 to start the season. With plenty of guys starting and on the

bench with impressive skills, it's looking like the Bulldogs will

have plenty of bite.

ST. IGNATIUS - Mission showed tenacity this weekend as they went 2-0 to start the season. With plenty of guys starting and on the bench with impressive skills, it's looking like the Bulldogs will have plenty of bite.

Their first matchup on Friday was against Alberton and Mission came out on fire, hitting their first four shots and building an 8-0 lead.

"Our start, the first two minutes, was a real pleasant surprise," head coach Lloyd Phillips said. "It truly showed

what we are capable of as we gain experience and chemistry."

However after a time out by Alberton with 6:20 to go in the quarter, the Bulldogs went cold from the floor. Their offense would re-ignite in the second, as four minutes into the quarter the Bulldogs scored 10 points in just three minutes and took the 18-12lead at halftime. Mission would end the game shooting 40 percent from the field, but didn't convert on a threepointer in the game.

"We showed our youth at times and they took advantage and put points on the board," Phillips said.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs shot just eight times from their offensive sets, something that head coach Lloyd Phillips thought should be around 12 or 15 times. While Mission went just three-for-ten from the field, they had a 28-21 lead going into the fourth.

Alberton was able to close within 34-33 with under two minutes to go but junior Austin McDonald hit two free throws and sophomore Dylan Evans hit one as the Bulldogs held on for the 37-33 victory.

"I knew we would play hard and we did for the entire game, once our court knowledge and choices improve we will have a chance at the end and that is all anyone could hope for," Phillips said.

Junior Austin Durglo had ten points, and had seven rebounds, four assists and five steals in a solid effort. Phillips said that it was exactly what the Bulldogs needed.

Freshman Stuart Grant had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in his first start. The Bulldogs had a solid rebounding effort, collecting 38 with 17 of those being offensive boards.

In their second game of the weekend on Saturday against Superior for their home opener, the Bulldogs played solid team defense in the first quarter, and gained the 7-4 lead behind a patient half court offense.

Things got better for Mission in the second quarter as the Bulldogs scored and pressed with their signature style.

Going into halftime they had a 21-14 lead bu were 3-13 in the paint.

In the locker room, the Bulldogs talked about how they came our flat in their first game and how it carried over for the rest of the night.

This time, they wanted to be up by 15 going into the fourth.

They almost accomplished that, denying Superior's shots and shooting five for 11 from the field, leading 33-21 with one period to play. They would need that lead in the fourth as they scored just four points. The Bobcats would finish the game with 30 turnovers on the night thanks to a brutal Bulldogs' defense.

"Our youth surfaced again and that stopped us from putting points on the board," Phillips said. Mission was able to hang on for the 37-33 win, and a last moment Superior three-pointer got them closer than they had been since the first quarter, made it look more dramatic than it was.

"Overall this was a very solid effort at both ends by the entire team," Phillips said. "We played nine guys and they all contributed. That is a must have for us."

Both games had identical scores, and both games ended in Mission's favor.

"Both games could have went the other way but they didn't," Phillips said.

After a Tuesday matchup against Charlo, Mission will prepare for Ronan on the road on Saturday.

"They will be two of the best teams on our schedule," Phillips said. "We will need to play better and I think we will." Friday's game

Mission - 8 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 37

Alberton - 4 - 8 - 9 - 12 - 33

Bulldogs scoring - Austin Durglo 10, Stuart Grant 10, Josh Durglo 6, Austin McDonald 4, Spencer Ahlborn 4, Dylan Evans 3

Saturday's game

Superior - 4 - 10 - 7 - 12 - 33

Mission - 7 - 14 - 12 - 4 -37

Bulldogs scoring - Austin McDonald 16, Dylan Evans 8, Spencer Ahlborn 4, Josh Durglo 3, Austin Durglo 2, Stuart Grant 2, Nikko Alexander 2