Dogs Remain Undefeated After Beating Asotin

DAYTON - The Dayton Bulldogs went 6-0 after beating Asotin, 56-41, Saturday in a game that quickly turned into a route for the Panthers.

"We definitely felt we had control of the game," Bulldog Joey Schlachter said after the home court encounter. "We were worried about getting outrun, which we didn't let them do."

The Bulldogs had a close game against Waitsburg- Prescott on Friday, but the team seemed much more comfortable in the game against the Panthers.

Dayton opened the scoring drive and had a 9-2 lead about halfway through the first quarter. Still, they barely outscored Asotin, 16-14, during the period after the two teams traded treys and the Bulldogs missed some close buckets.

Bulldog Hayden Fullerton opened the second quarter with a field goal and his team opened up a steady eightpoint lead for much of the remainder of the half, outscoring their opponents 16-10 during the second quarter.

The Bulldogs came out with even more intensity after the break, cementing their advantaged with a 14-point 49-35 lead at the end of the third quarter with a similar 17-11 scoring margin during the period.

As the Panthers lost their focus and began missing more and more trey attempts and two-point field-goal tries, the Bulldogs would hang on to their victory differential and win the game with a final score of 57-41.

Bulldog Garett Turner, who was by far the lead scorer with 26 points, was subbed out during the fourth quarter amid applause from the home crowd for his stellar performance during the game.

"It was a good win," head coach Roy Ramirez said after the game. "The boys played hard and the defense did a good job."

Sometimes the offensive execution goes begging because Ramirez lets his players play a loose pattern around the key, he said. Although it can be risky when the Bulldogs are up against a thieving opponent, but it's the way the players, particularly the seniors, have played together for years and it seems to be a successful format.

"I give them that leeway," the coach said. "It's the way they like to play. The execution is generally good, but not every time. We're working on the timing."

Despite the season-opening string of victories, the Bulldogs can't afford to rest on their laurels, Ramirez said. With strong teams like Walla Walla Valley Academy and Tri Cities Prep on the league schedule, the Dogs will have to play one game at a time, he said.

"We have to match this intensity every time," he predicted.

Dayton vs. Asotin 56-41

Day 16 16 17 6 - 56 Aso 14 10 11 6 - 41

Garett Turner 26

Kroft Sunderland 9

Joey Schlachter 7

Wyatt Frame 2

FT 8/14 for 57%