As much as an Ignacio boys basketball team can typically, and traditionally has, out-run an opponent, conditioning always proves most crucial and thus allows coaches to properly train players in the ways of the Bobcat.
It’s basically Trae Seibel’s favorite time of year as the Bobcats look to improve on a fifth-place 4-8 in the 3A/4A Intermountain League and ultimately 11-13 overall last season after falling to Loveland Resurrection Christian in the 3A state tournament’s opening round of 32.
Which wasn’t surprising; the Cougars, which went on to capture the state championship and complete a 28-0 season, were the No. 1 seed while the ’Cats were the 32. Unfortunately, the loss ended the prep careers of five seniors including usual starter Charley Pargin, plus regular reserves Angelo Frost, Coty Webb, Lincoln Gillespie and Marquise Cibrian.
But much established talent will be back for the 2025-26 grind. Now-senior Trace Crane returns to anchor the front court, but with length enabling him to strike from almost anywhere.
“In our system that we implemented, the UCLA offense, we’re hammering on (getting) high-percentage shots,” Seibel explained near the close of the ’24-25 season. “So we’re pounding the ball inside then looking for outside opportunities. Charley, he took advantage of it, and there were games where Trace took advantage of it. They were working their butts off, and so was everybody else.”
Senior back court regular Ambrose Valdez also returns along with senior Sonny Flores, capable of starting or filling a sixth-man role. After continuing to hone his skills last winter as an important reserve, senior Rance Rathjen is also back along with classmate Stoney White Thunder-Lucero.
Juniors William Mendoza-Lechuga and Thunder Windy Boy, junior-varsity regulars last winter (the latter did see some varsity minutes as the season progressed), will add depth along with junior Shaun Sanderson, sophomore Joseph Atencio, freshman Keyon Alston and senior Zaine Velasquez-Hight.
And while read-and-react may again drive Ignacio’s attack, the ’Cats may again rely defensively on a zone-based look.
Up first, IHS’ boys will host 2A Mancos on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. With nowhere to go but up after a brutal 0-22 (0-12 3A/2A/1A San Juan Basin) campaign last winter, the Blue Jays are already off to a 1-1 start after winning their ’25-26 opener, 60-42 over 1A Lake City Community School, on Friday at 2A Sargent’s two-day tournament. MHS, however, then fell 52-38 on the Saturday to the hosting Farmers.
After meeting Mancos, the Bobcats will then creep into the San Luis Valley to contend at 2A Center’s 12/12-13 C-Town Showdown. Awaiting the gents at 7 p.m. on its first day will be Blanca-based Sierra Grande (No. 8 in the preseason CHSAANow.com Class 1A rankings), which went 6-0 in the 1A Southern Peaks last season and ended up 19-6 overall after losing to Elbert in the 1A state tournament’s Sweet 16.
Ignacio’s December slate will conclude at Aztec, New Mexico’s Rumble in ‘The Jungle,’ December 18-20. The Bobcats are scheduled to square off against the hosting Tigers on the 18th at 7 p.m.
