For one half of play Thursday night at Bayfield High School, senior night was playing out to be a major dud. However, this group of Wolverines’ seniors know how to win, and they weren’t about to let the final high school basketball home game in front of their peers end in a disappointment.
After scoring only 14 first-half points, Bayfield (10-4, 4-4 3A Intermountain League) rallied from 16 points down at halftime to beat Centauri 58-54. As it should be on senior night, the elders carried the load, as Taed Haydinger led the Wolverines with 17 points while fellow senior Zane Phelps had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
“It really was a terrible first half no matter what way you look at it,” Bayfield coach Jeff Lehnus said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “The seniors showed their character in the second half, and it was a nice; fun way to close out another chapter for this special group at Bayfield High School.”
Bayfield was coming off an emotional overtime win against Pagosa Springs and looked fatigued in the first half. However, the battle-tested Wolverines came out of the locker room for the second half an inspired bunch. They shut down Centauri (3-14, 0-7 IML) with tough defense and scored 44 second-half points to complete a thrilling comeback.
Though they only converted on 23-of-47 free -throw attempts, Bayfield still found a way to make up ground.
“When you start missing that many free throws, it’s a sign of fatigue,” Lehnus said. “Somehow the guys summoned up some energy and found a way to execute down the stretch. I’m so proud of the seniors.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
