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Pagosa Springs too much for Ignacio on opening night

Bobcats can’t get into rhythm to start season

The Ignacio High School girls basketball team couldn’t have found a tougher opponent for the season and home opener Tuesday night as it welcomed defending Class 3A state champion Pagosa Springs.

The Pirates started the game on an 8-0 run and never trailed, as Pagosa Springs won 58-37.

Ignacio (0-1) had a hard time figuring out a physical, up-tempo Pagosa Springs (1-0) offense. The Bobcats tried to match the intensity but could only send Pagosa Springs to the free-throw line by committing multiple fouls early on.

“We were trying to identify the fouls,” Ignacio head coach Shane Seibel said. “We were so excited to be out there. It felt like we wanted to be physical, but we got into early foul trouble instead.”

Taylor Lee-Hammer led the Pirates with 23 points. She found fortune at the charity stripe by going 10-for-12 on free throws. Her strong shooting helped overcome turnovers, as she had four of them in the first half. As a team, Pagosa Springs overcame 13 turnovers on the night. Ignacio took good care of the ball as it only turned it over eight times.

Where the Bobcats couldn’t convert was the easy layup. Ignacio missed its first eight shots, most of which came from the paint. The Bobcats also had a hard time shooting from the 3-point line, as Ignacio hit just one shot from deep. Morgan Lewis led the Pirates with five rebounds.

“Pagosa Springs is a quality team,” Seibel said. “They are very physical, tall and have good skill players. There was lack of focus also in the beginning of the game. We got our focus back in the second quarter, but that falls on my shoulders as a coach to get them mentally prepared because we’re talented.”

Ignacio was led by Ellie Seibel, who had 12 points and went a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Hilda Garcia led Ignacio with four rebounds but was held to only two points. Senior Chrystianne Valdez led Ignacio with three steals, as she gave Pagosa Springs’ guards fits about bringing the ball across court.

Coach Seibel believed his team gained more confidence as the game went on but it wasn’t enough after the early struggles.

“Any time you face the champion, you’re on your heels,” Coach Seibel said.

Ignacio will be on the road this weekend as it will play at Glenwood Springs and Centauri in the Mountain Top Classic. Ignacio will return home for the third part of the tournament as it will host Rye, which is also a part of the Mountain Top Classic.

jmentzer@durangoherlad.com

Dec 1, 2015
Ignacio Bobcats boys basketball battles back to beat Pagosa Springs


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