BOYS BASKETBALL: Falcons go 0-2 at Dongola tourney on Saturday

Elverado dropped both games at the Dongola Holiday Tournament on Saturday, falling to the host Demons 75-50 before later losing to Pope County, 52-48.

The Falcons trailed the Demons by just eight entering the fourth quarter, but got outscored 24-7 in the final period.

"Dongola was a team that has beaten us by 40 already twice this year," said EHS head coach Jacob Emling, "so we felt confident only being down 8 going into the fourth quarter. Anytime it's that close going into the fourth you feel like you have a chance to win it."

Sage Sarensen led Elverado with 18 points against Dongola, Aquantez Penn had 13, Alec Valerius 11, Kevin Bruce 3, Jadyn Christian and Trey Bernardini each had 2, and Avery Caraker had 1.

The nightcap with Pope County went back and forth with neither team leading by more than six points in the entire game.

"We had some opportunities late to tie it up but just couldn't get the shots and defensive stops we needed," Emling said. "There were a few things I feel I should have changed to put us in a better position to do those things. I'll take the blame for that."

Sarensen had a team-high 18 points for EHS. Valerius added 14 points, Bruce 8, Penn 6 and Caraker 2.

The Falcons get one more shot to pick up a win at the tournament on Monday when they meet Joppa at 6:00 p.m.