Katie Wiegert outscored Ignacio by herself through one half, and she fell two points short of outscoring the Bobcats for the entire game.
The Class 4A Durango High School girls basketball team had no problem against the Class 2A Ignacio Bobcats in a special game Thursday at Whalen Gymnasium on the Fort Lewis College campus.
Wiegert, a DHS senior guard, scored a game-high 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting after an 0-for-3 start from the field, helping the Demons to a 47-33 victory
“I didn’t play the best I could, but stepping up as a leader, as a scorer, being the leading scorer, I had to step up at some point,” said Wiegert, daughter of Coby and Jill Wiegert.
DHS trailed 6-4 early in the first quarter but went on a 9-0 scoring run to close the quarter to establish a 13-6 advantage.
Sophomore guard Katrina Chandler dominated the boards early with five rebounds in the first half, and her down-court passes to Wiegert led to easy fastbreak points.
“We hang our hats on the defense. From that, we get our offense,” Wiegert said. “It was huge for us to get those stops on the defensive end.”
Chandler had an all-around night for the Demons, finishing with eight points and 10 rebounds.
“She sees the floor so well, and she’s gonna make a lot more good than bad happen,” DHS head coach Tim Fitzpatrick said of Chandler. “She’s a very good basketball player for being a sophomore.”
IHS struggled to deal with the length of the Demons at the perimeter, turning the ball over several times on entry passes into the paint. IHS turned the ball over more than 20 times in the game and was outrebounded 28-20.
“Very hurtful for us. We got a little bit nervous, and we were forcing the ball when it wasn’t there,” IHS head coach Shane Seibel said of the turnovers. “That’s something the girls are gonna learn so much from this game.”
Trailing 32-19 going to the fourth quarter, the Bobcats made a run to get back in the game and cut the Demons’ lead to 32-25. But Wiegert hit a 3 with 4 minutes, 57 seconds remaining and converted a traditional three-point play on the next possession.
“Keeping track of time, keeping track of points, when they go on a run, you have to get a stop,” Wiegert said. “Have to keep my momentum up and keep the team pushing with me so we can make opportunities not only for myself but for other players.”
Wiegert helped extend the lead to 40-28 by grabbing her own rebound on a missed 3 and finishing a layup with her left hand at the rim. She scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
“She’s really quick, and she penetrated really hard, which made me jump to one side,” the Bobcats’ Hilda Garcia – daughter of Elco Garcia and Naomi Russell – said of defending Wiegert. “It was really difficult but a good challenge.”
Fitzpatrick was impressed with the play of his senior star, though he said she didn’t shoot the ball as well as he knows she’s capable of.
Equally impressive was the play of his team’s pressure defense.
“I’m extremely proud of this team’s defense, and it starts with Emily Fogel. She’s our heartbeat as far as the defense is concerned,” Fitzpatrick said. “We kind of feed off what she does.”
Seibel blamed himself for the loss, saying his team did not play its usual style until the fourth quarter.
“I take this loss squarely on my shoulders based on the fact that we are a pressing team and we didn’t press. That falls on me and won’t happen again,” he said.
Garcia led Ignacio with 11 points. Sky Cotton chipped in nine and Ellie Seibel finished with seven.
Even with the loss, playing a quality 4A team in a big college gym was a winning experience for the Bobcats.
“It was big and reminds us of the future. IF we ever go to state or to regionals, it’s gonna be a big crowd, and they’re gonna cheer us on,” she said.
As for Wiegert, she still isn’t sure if playing on a college floor is in her future after she graduates this May, though Fitzpatrick said she can play college basketball if she chooses.
“I’m not sure yet, but we’ll see,” Wiegert said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
