Held to single-digit scoring during the first two quarters, and still trailing Monte Vista by 19 points with only eight minutes remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon, Ignacio High School’s girls basketball squad suddenly caught fire, but it wasn’t enough as Monte Vista achieved a 45-30 road win.
Starting freshman Justina Jessepe pumped in three three-pointers and totaled a thrilling 11 of her game-high 13 points, all coming after halftime, and freshman reserve Jordan Wing sank one three particularly surprising the visitors.
MVHS countered by getting the basketball inside to sophomore post Sienna Daniel, whose height and size alone made her a matchup nightmare. Daniel managed two baskets and a free throw during the 3A/4A Intermountain League game’s final frame, offsetting IHS’ effort just enough to allow head coach Shawna Larson to empty her bench with 3:53 left, after two FTs by senior Reagan Futrell rebuilt the Pirates’ lead to 43-23.
After trailing the Pirates (9-5 overall, 3-2 IML) 10-0 through the opening eight minutes inside a hushed IHS Gymnasium, the Bobcats finally got on the scoreboard via sophomore forward/center Veronica Brown’s free throw made with 6:13 left until halftime.
Complicating matters, both junior center/forward Catori Aasland (with 4:18 left) and Brown (3:24 left) each picked up her third personal foul, essentially inviting Monte Vista to utilize Daniel, Henderhan and senior Madison Henderhan even more. Junior Janessa Marquez made both free throws, offsetting Ignacio’s long-awaited first field goal, finally netted by Atencio, giving MVHS a 14-3 advantage which grew to 21-7 by half’s end.
Jessepe began the third quarter with a 2-pointer but the girls in green responded with a trey by senior Heysenny Beltran, went on to outscore IHS 13-8 and started the fourth quarter up by an imposing 34-15 margin.
Daniel (3-6 FT) ended up with a team-leading nine points, Marquez (6-6 FT) followed with eight.
Jessepe led the Bobcats with 11 points, and senior guard Alyssa Atencio added eight points.
The Bobcats (3-13 overall, 1-5 IML) will travel on Saturday to 4A Pagosa Springs, then on Feb. 12 to 3A Bayfield.
