Scalding-hot from downtown early on, senior guard Stoney White Thunder-Lucero’s three 3-pointers during the first quarter helped the Ignacio boys bolt out to an 18-7 lead Friday night in Alamosa.
Knowing that the Mean Moose would have to key on senior do-it-all Trace Crane, IHS senior forward Rance Rathjen proceeded to score 10 points before halftime as the Bobcats returned to their locker room still owning a 25-17 advantage. That lead began crumbling after the 3A/4A Intermountain League action resumed, and ultimately collapsed as the Mean Moose rallied and stole a 46-43 victory.
AHS (7-8 overall, 2-3 IML) rained five threes down upon the ’Cats (7-8, 0-5) in the third quarter, and outscored the guests 17-9 to set up an intense final frame.
With the teams deadlocked at 34 through 24 completed minutes, even Crane’s first – and only – two field goals, plus a three by sophomore guard Joseph Atencio wasn’t enough down the stretch for the visitors; IHS went 0-of-3 from the free-throw line during the fourth quarter, got just one last Rathjen bucket and nothing more.
White Thunder-Lucero couldn’t find his range after the first quarter, and junior guard Thunder Windy Boy was held scoreless as he, White Thunder-Lucero, Crane and even Rathjen were each off-tracked by three personal fouls.
Meanwhile, AHS senior center Kingston Wilcox and senior guard Jaidyn Burciaga each scored five points during the fourth quarter, in which Alamosa went 5-of-9 from the charity stripe. Wilcox ended up with 15 points despite finishing 2-of-6 from the foul line, and senior guard Victor Zepeda sank three threes (two during AHS’ third-quarter comeback) in totaling 11 points.
Rathjen, meanwhile, made four of his seven FTs and ended up with a game-high 16 points in defeat. White Thunder-Lucero finished with his initial nine points.
Ignacio was to next host 3A Monte Vista (8-5 overall, 1-3 IML) at 4 p.m. Saturday.
PAGOSA TWO BETTER THAN BAYFIELD: Playing out of town for the fourth time in five games, 3A Bayfield’s boys went to 4A Pagosa Springs on Friday but came up just short in a 57-55 loss to the Pirates.
The Wolverines slipped to 10-5 overall, 3-2 in IML play; the Pirates improved to 6-8, 4-1 in IML play.
Support for senior guard Alyssa Atencio’s optimistic first-half attack Friday evening was practically non-existent as 3A Ignacio fell 52-17 at 4A Alamosa.
Atencio drilled one 3-pointer and netted 11 points during the first two quarters, and could have done even more damage but made just two of nine free throws. She finished 3-of-11 from the charity stripe and totaled 12 points after being blanked during the fourth quarter.
Junior center/forward Catori Aasland managed one two-pointer for the Bobcats, with freshman reserve Jordan Wing hit two of four FTs during the fourth quarter.
The Lady Bobcats (3-12 overall, 1-4 3A/4A Intermountain League) trailed by just five points, 12-7. With Alamosa senior Aubrey Rothermich managing just one free throw in four chances, AHS’ lead increased slightly to 21-14 by halftime, but the Mean Moose (9-4, 4-1 IML) then took full control by winning the third quarter 18-1.
Senior Jaelin Garcia scored six points during the third quarter, made four of her seven FTs and ended up with a team-high 10 points. Sophomore Leela Gutierrez was close behind with her eight points.
Ignacio welcomed 3A Monte Vista (8-5, 2-2 IML) at 2:30 p.m on Saturday, with the result unavailable at press time.
WOLVERINE GIRLS LOSE AWAY: Playing on Friday in Pagosa Springs, 3A Bayfield’s girls were unable to earn their first Intermountain victory as they lost 49-11 to the 4A Pirates.
It was the fifth-consecutive road game and eighth straight loss overall for the depleted Wolverines (3-12, 0-5 IML), who fell behind 15-0 after the opening eight minutes and could not recover. PSHS (7-7, 4-1) then led 32-6 at halftime and 47-8 through three quarters.
Bayfield was to host 4A Montezuma-Cortez (5-9, 1-4) at 5:30 on Saturday, with the result unavailable at press time.
