Closing out the regular season with a huge win can give a team a lot of confidence at the right time.
That’s exactly what happened when the Ignacio High School girls basketball team honored its seniors before proceeding to beat the Telluride Miners 64-17.
Ignacio (15-4, 11-1 San Juan Basin League) will head into postseason as the top seed in the district playoffs. As for Telluride (3-15, 2-10 SJBL), the Miners’ season is over.
“It’s a relief, but it’s sad it’s over,” said Ignacio senior Ellie Seibel said, of coach Shane and Melanie Seibel. “I’m happy about how we’re playing going into the postseason. We haven’t peaked yet and, once we peak, I don’t think anyone can beat us.”
The Bobcats opened the game on a 12-2 run and never had a problem keeping their flow, as they scored at will on transition. Avionne Gomez led the Bobcats with 18 points. She nailed six 3-pointers, five of which were in the first half. Hilda Garcia finished with 12 points, six assists and six steals.
Ignacio got a solid game from its seniors, as Seibel had 10 points and seven steals, Chrystianne Valdez had six steals and five points, Miriam Fernandez-Lopez had 10 rebounds and eight points, Gibran Silva had six rebounds and four points, and Cortney Wilson-Baker had six points and two steals.
“It was really nice to get this win,” said Valdez, daughter of Chris and Cindy Valdez. “Coach wanted us to come out and honor the game. I think we were really ready to come out strong. We wanted to do the best that we can going into districts.”
Valdez has committed to play for head coach Jason Flores next year at Fort Lewis College.
As a team, Ignacio narrowly outrebounded Telluride 28-27 but stole the ball away from the Miners with ease. The Bobcats totaled 25 steals and caused 29 total turnovers. The Miners were led by Alyssa Pack, who finished with 11 rebounds and nine points.
Fernandez-Lopez, who is a foreign exchange student from Spain, got her first start of the year and made it count in her final year in the U.S.
“It was our last game, and we wanted to play hard for the other seniors on the team,” said Fernandez-Lopez, daughter of Jose Manuel Fernandez and Bianca Lopez. “We play hard and always look for open shots; we’re really confident.”
Ignacio will be the top seed in the San Juan District Tournament, which will begin next week.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
