The Ignacio High School boys basketball team took a trip Saturday to Telluride and flexed its muscles in a 69-41 win in a Class 2A/1A San Juan Basin League matchup.
“We started a little slow again, but we turned it on and finished well,” Ignacio head coach Chris Valdez said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald.
Wyatt Hayes once again showcased his talents by nearly getting a triple double for a second consecutive night. The senior guard scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had nine assists. He also hit four 3-pointers in a row to solidify the game in the fourth quarter, and he tacked on five steals for good measure.
Ignacio (7-0, 2-0 SJBL) started the game slow, but a 17-point third quarter and 24-point fourth quarter sealed the win over Telluride (2-7, 1-1 SJBL).
The Bobcats had great all-around play from its varsity squad. Tucker Ward had 13 points and four assists, and Nick Herrera had 10 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Anthony Manzanares had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists in his first game back from a one-game suspension.
“(Telluride) played a lot of man-to-man defense,” Valdez said. “We didn’t spread the floor like we needed, but once we opened it up we got better shots.”
Ignacio will take on Durango High School at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Whalen Gymnasium on the Fort Lewis College campus.
“I think we’re a couple of the best teams in the Four Corners,” Valdez said of the matchup. “It will be good for them and great for us. Nobody in our division matches up against us like (Durango).”
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
