Turnovers and numerous missed opportunities certainly crippled the Bobcats enough, but when it came down to the final seconds last Friday, Ignacio still had a chance to claim victory.
Unfortunately, relative unknown upstart Custer County had the final possession.
Given the name of the Greek goddess of war, CCHS junior Athena Wisecup would have been an appropriate choice to beat the ending buzzer, but the ball went instead to McKensie Penkoff and the sophomore managed to lift the ladies from Westcliffe into a position-once virtually reserved for the squad they were facing-of contending for one of two berths into this weekend's CHSAA Class 2A State Championships. Penkoff hit a mid-range jumper that left Adams State University's Plachy Hall stunned.
Except, of course, for the Custer County players, coaches and supporters. They were elated at having just pulled off a rare 8-seed-over-1 upset in the semifinals at the 2A-Region I Tournament in Alamosa.
And Custer County wasn't finished. By defeating #4 Sargent 41-29 the following afternoon, CCHS - having improved to 10-12 overall - secured a spot in the double-elimination "Great Eight" at CSU-Pueblo along with #3 Sanford (16-8), who first ousted #6 Mancos 56-34 and then edged #2 Del Norte 41-34.
IHS finished 17-5 overall for a second straight season, despite getting 10 points from sophomore Avionne Gomez before she fouled out in the fourth quarter, and nine from senior Ellie Seibel. Sophomore Hilda Garcia scored seven and senior Cortney Wilson-Baker five, but senior Chrystianne Valdez was held to three, junior Alejandra Lujan (who also fouled out) to two and senior Miriam Fernandez-Lopez to none.
Having won the second half by a 24-15 margin, Custer County got 12 points from Penkoff and 11 from senior Taylor Staton. Junior Serenity Ham contributed nine, junior Tisha Schlabach and sophomore Elizabeth Mullett each booked two and senior Nicole Lorenzen (another five-foul casualty) one.
CCHS was 14-of-24 at the free-throw line, with Penkoff hitting all four of her tries and Ham nine of an alarming 14. Ignacio, which lost a 21-13 halftime advantage, went 9-of-15, led by Seibel's 5-of-6.
Up next, Custer County drew Eastern Plains powerhouse Yuma (23-1) for their first opponent inside Massari Arena while Sargent was to challenge Western Slope force Paonia (22-2). Results of both Thursday contests were unavailable at press time.
