The Igncaio High School boys basketball team put on a show in the final game of the Centauri Mountain Top Classic on Saturday when it beat host-team Centauri on its home floor, 61-53.

Behind Wyatt Hayes and Tucker Ward, the Bobcats (3-0) were in control of the game the entire night. The Bobcats at one point even led the Falcons by 25 points; however, after Ignacio head coach Chris Valdez sat his entire starting five, Centauri made a comeback to close the gap with the score.

“(This game) showed us that we have a good starting five with some really good reserves,” Valdez said. “But we need to work on depth. We need to finish games even with reserves in the game.”

Hayes finished the game with 15 points, seven steals, six assists and four rebound, and was named to the Mountain Top Classic’s All-Tournament team along with Nicholas Herrera and Anthony Manzanares.

Herrera finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Manzanares had 10 points – all coming in the third quarter.

Valdez said he was most impressed with Ward’s play as he contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Ignacio had to deal with Centauri’s zone defense, which opened up the perimeter shots. Those perimeter shots allowed Hayes and Ward to score at will.

“We’re 3-0 and that’s what counts,” Valdez said. “Last year, we started 1-2 then only lost three games the whole season. It’s nice to start on winning record to build on.”

jmentzer@durangoherald.com