The coaches for the Ignacio High School girls basketball team stress a fast tempo.

That tempo led to the Bobcats forcing 24 turnovers in their 61-29 win over Dolores on Thursday at the SunUte Community Center in Ignacio.

“It means the world for our defensive effort,” IHS head coach Shane Seibel said.

Playing with that kind of pace can lead to hurrying, which explains the 23 turnovers for IHS (4-2, 1-0 San Juan League).

“It comes back to patience,” Seibel said. “We love an up-tempo game, and at times we want that up-tempo when we need to slow it down. The girls are really grasping the idea of patience.”

They’ve already ingrained the idea of team play and sharing the ball. Nine players scored for the Bobcats in their win.

Alejandra Lujan led IHS with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double.

“That was my focus, to get as many rebounds a I could,” said Lujan, daughter of Jose and Yazmin Lara.

Freshman Avionne Gomez added 10 points and eight rebounds.

“Avionne, as a freshman, is grasping the offense,” Seibel said. “Her basketball I.Q. is really rising.”

The Bobcats made 10 steals in the game and outrebounded Dolores (1-3, 01 SJL) 48-27.

The only issue with Ignacio’s defense came in the form of fouling. IHS put the Bears on the line 16 times in the game, and Dolores hit 11 of them. Dolores point guard Nicole Kibel made seven-of-12.

Neither team held onto the ball well in the first half. They combined for 28 turnovers, as IHS took a 33-14 lead into the break.

The Bobcats forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter en route to a 21-5 lead.

IHS next will play Jan. 9 at Ridgway.

kgrabowski@durangoherald.com