GYPSUM – When shots don’t fall, wins are hard to come by. Coal Ridge’s boys learned that firsthand on Tuesday, shooting at a 29 percent clip in a 69-58 loss at Eagle Valley.

“How many times are you going to win shooting 29 percent?” Titans coach Paul Harvey joked.

His squad didn’t shoot much better from the free-throw line, hitting just 10 of 25 freebies.

Andy Smedra led Coal Ridge with 20 points. The senior guard flirted with foul trouble all night, though, eventually fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.

Rafael Fabela scored 13 points for the Titans, who face Rifle next Tuesday.

“[Eagle Valley] played well,” Harvey said. “Give them credit. They’re very much improved.”

GYPSUM – Coal Ridge’s girls dropped a heartbreaker at Eagle Valley on Tuesday, opening the season with a 56-53 defeat.

The Titans trailed 25-19 at halftime and 41-34 after three quarters before outscoring the Devils, 19-15, in the final stanza.

Brenda Zapata led Eagle Valley with 16 points. Jamie Bair chipped in 10 points. Statistics for Coal Ridge were not available at press time.

Next up for Coal Ridge is a trip to Rifle next Tuesday.

GRAND JUNCTION – Rifle’s girls opened the season on a sobering note, dropping a 71-30 decision at 5A Grand Junction Central on Tuesday.

The Warriors blew the game wide open at the outset, jumping out to a 16-7 lead after a quarter and extending that edge to 35-11 by halftime.

Rifle will be back on the court this weekend at the Friday-Saturday Brenda Patch Tournament, which is hosted by Roaring Fork High School.