Unable to add to a hard-earned win after 33-32 lead through three quarters on the second and last day of 2A Center’s 2025 C-Town Showdown, the Ignacio Bobcats were thus unable to return with the tournament’s boys title.
Senior Rance Rathjen scored 13 points against CHS and senior Trace Crane 12, but after having erased a 15-8 deficit facing them after the opening eight minutes Saturday afternoon the ’Cats lost the fourth quarter 16-6 and ultimately fell 48-39 to the hosting Vikings.
Junior guard Anjel Palma knocked down two 3-pointers and piled up a game-high 20 points for Center (4-1 overall), which successfully followed up its 64-33 rout of Calhan the previous day.
Up next, Ignacio (2-1 overall) will take part in Aztec, New Mexico’s three-day 2025 Rumble in the Jungle tournament and begin the event at 7 p.m. Thursday against the hosting Tigers (1-6 overall).
EXTRA-SESSION ESCAPE: Pit against Blanca-based Sierra Grande on Friday, the Bobcats lost a 35-29 lead built up through three quarters but still ended up nipping the Panthers 47-45 in overtime.
Crane made five of eight free throws and finished with a team-high 15 points. Strong early with seven first-quarter points, Valdez finished with 14.
Senior guard Jadyn Martinez ended up with a game-high 16 points for SGHS. Senior forward Rolando Najera powered Sierra Grande’s fourth-quarter comeback with eight of his 10 points
The Panthers, however, bounced back on Day 2 and ripped Calhan 61-34 to save third place.
