By G. Sean Kelly

Sports Editor

CARBONDALE – Aspen’s experience and dominance in the paint proved too much for Roaring Fork as the Skiers downed the Rams 50-42 in Western Slope League play Friday night at Roaring Fork High School.

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“I’m pleased with the way the kids played, but the shots didn’t go down,” Roaring Fork coach Mike Fahrenkrug said.

Roaring Fork, aided by a 3-of-9 Aspen effort from the charity stripe, jumped out to a 12-9 lead in the first quarter.

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In the second quarter, however, the Rams’ shooting went cold from outside and Roaring Fork was unable to get anything going inside against the bigger and more experienced Skier squad.

Aspen (1-1 WSL, 4-3 overall) boasts nine seniors on its roster and started two players listed taller than 6-foot-3. Roaring Fork (1-1, 3-4) has just four seniors and one player listed at 6-4.

The advantage showed as the Rams were outscored 17-2 in the second quarter and held scoreless until the final minute of the frame when Jon Lough sunk a short jumper. Phil Salazar and Josh Lackey led the Aspen run with four points each. Salazar and Lackey led all scorers in the game with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

The Skiers kept rolling to a 38-21 advantage at the end of the third and led by as many as 20 before the Rams mounted a comeback attempt.

Down 43-23 early in the fourth quarter, reserve Chad Minor keyed a 10-0 Roaring

Fork run with three steals and four points to pull the Rams within 10 points. Roaring Fork, however, was unable to draw closer until Arnold Hernandez hit a trey in the game’s final field goal for the 50-42 final.

Aaron Markham and Dan Markoya led Roaring Fork with nine points each.

Aspen 9 17 12 12 – 50

Roaring Fork 12 2 7 21 – 42

Aspen – Josh Lackey 3 2-2 10, Teddy Farrell 0 0-0 0, Nick Farrell 1 5-8 7, Phil Salazar 5 4-8 14, Brett Mufson 2 1-2 5, Moss Schermerhorn 2 1-5 5, Pete VanDonelen 0 0-2 0, Zack Karl 1 0-0 2, Ty Gartner 3 0-0 7, Zack Paris 0 0-0 0, Aaron Parada 0 0-0 0, Jacob Welsh 0 0-0 0, Brock Strasbourger 0 0-0 0. Totals – 17 13-17 50.

Roaring Fork – Jake Boyle 1 1-2 3, Aaron Markham 2 4-4 9, Jose Escarcega 0 0-0 0, Chad Minor 2 0-0 4, Tyler Gillispie 0 0-0 0, Arnold Hernandez 2 1-5 7, Adam Frank 0 0-0 0, Dan Markoya 4 0-0 9, Misael Fernandez 1 0-0 2, Jon Lough 1 0-0 2, Nic Lough 3 0-2 6, Tommy Joiner 0 0-0 0. Totals – 16 6-13 42.

3-Pointers – A – Lackey 2, Gartner. RF – Hernandez 2, Markham, Markoya. Fouled Out – RF – Boyle. Technicals – None.