With 18 points from senior forward Adison Jones and 13 from junior guard Tucker Ward, the Ignacio boys basketball team separated from Monticello, Utah, during the second quarter Tuesday night to win on the road, 45-32.
Encountering early resistance one would expect from a fellow #3-ranked squad, the IHS boys led 11-10 after the first. But they owned the second and third quarters by an aggregate 24-6 margin and practically set things on cruise control for the ending eight minutes.
Junior guard Wyatt Hayes chipped in eight points in helping the 'Cats improve to 15-2 overall.
Sophomore guard Talon Black paced MHS (13-4) with 13 points and 6'7" junior center Matt Freestone booked 12, but the Buckaroos made just 11 shots from the floor while Ignacio sank 19.
Wrapping up the regular season this weekend, IHS welcomes Norwood (6-9) tonight then travels to Telluride tomorrow in 2A/1A San Juan Basin League play.
GIRLS GOING FOR IT ALL: Almost a week removed from routing Nucla on Valentine's Day, 63-36 at NHS, the Bobcat girls (13-4, 9-1 SJBL) will step onto the SunUte Community Center court this evening against Norwood with one thing on their collective mind-the league's regular-season crown.
Norwood, the reigning Class 1A state champions, defeated Ouray Tuesday evening and stand 16-0 overall, 12-0 in league play.
They come to Ignacio tonight for the 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
Should the Mavericks win, the overall title is theirs. An Ignacio victory, however, gives the 'Cats the head-up advantage in the standings. A triumph in their regular-season finale-tomorrow at Telluride-would then settle the issue quite nicely, no matter the outcome of Dolores' visit to Norwood.
