It was close at first, but the Bobcats showed the Demons why they went undefeated in league play during the regular season.
The No. 1 Ignacio High School boys basketball team extended its dominance by taking out the No. 4 Ridgway Demons in the first round of the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 2A District 3 tournament, 61-40.
The game was played at Montezuma-Cortez High School.
Ignacio (17-2) dictated the tempo with its stellar defense, as Ridgway (11-10) made mistakes early.
“We got some steals early once we got the lead,” Ignacio head coach Chris Valdez said. “Then we changed to zone and worked with different presses, which dictated the game, and that was real big deal.”
Senior Anthony Manzanares led the Bobcats with 19 points, and senior Wyatt Hayes had 15 points and four steals.
“Anthony always plays bigger in big games,” Valdez said. “He was really consistent near the end of the year. He wants the basketball in big games, and that’s nice to have on your team.”
Ignacio moved the ball well on offense and exhausted Ridgway’s defense with the offensive scheme. The Bobcats’ motion offense worked in their favor, especially when it opened up the middle of the key so Hayes and Manzanares could penetrate and pass off to open teammates.
Nicholas Herrera benefited from the style of play and finished with seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.
“I’m seeing a lot more from (Herrera) with rebounding,” Valdez said. “He’s getting more consistent shots. We’re trying to get the ball in there to him; he’s doing great job.”
Ridgway will play at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for the third-place game against Mancos.
Ignacio will have a chance to win the district tournament title at 1:30 p.m. Saturday when the Bobcats play Telluride (9-11).
All games will be played at Montezuma-Cortez High School.
“It doesn’t matter who we play,” Valdez said. “We have to adjust to different teams at different times. We have to apply our strategy no matter what.”
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
