After 14 games played, the Ignacio High School boys basketball team stands alone as the top team in the 2A/1A San Juan Basin League. The best team in the league made a crystal clear statement Saturday, as the Bobcats welcomed Ouray and beat the Trojans by 33 points, 73-40.
Ouray, which stands at second place in league standings, was the first real test Ignacio has had all season in league play. Suffice it to say, Ignacio (13-2, 8-0) took care of Ouray (11-2, 4-2) when senior Wyatt Hayes decided to take over.
After the first frame of play, Ignacio held onto a 15-12 lead, but in the second quarter Hayes decided enough was enough, leading the Bobcats to an 18-point outburst. Hayes seemingly had his way with Ouray’s guards and finished a couple rebounds and assists shy of a triple-double when he poured in 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. The son of Cindy and Tim Hayes also went 3-for-4 from 3-point land.
“I felt like I could get by my guy, and when I did I tried to dish it to someone else or just take the shot myself,” Hayes said. “We’re a fast-paced team, and we like to score a lot of points. Earlier we weren’t scoring as much as we wanted to and now we’re starting to click.”
When Ignacio plays polished like it did against Ouray, the Bobcats will be a scary team in postseason play. Since losing to Bayfield in overtime on Jan. 26, Ignacio has won four in a row by an average win of 29.5 points per game.
“Since Bayfield, we have a better attitude, we’re not as cocky,” Hayes said. “I thought we came into the Bayfield game a little cocky. We’re not as big-headed and we try and come in try and play a good game every game.”
With the game waning and Ouray lingering around midway through the second quarter, Hayes led an 8-0 run that put Ouray in a tough position. The Trojans were unable to match Hayes’ energy, and the Bobcats began to play Ignacio-style basketball.
Anthony Manzanares scored 13 points, Nicholas Herrera had 10 points, four rebounds and two blocks, and Tucker Ward had seven points and four rebounds.
Ravi Inmon led the Trojans with 19 points, and Caleb Preston added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Preston was a beast on the boards, as Ignacio barely won the rebounding battle 27-25. Where Ignacio really had the advantage was forcing 16 turnovers.
“I think (Saturday) was really proof that we’re starting to be right where we need to be,” Ignacio head coach Chris Valdez said. “Beating (Ouray) by 33 says a lot about our team. We had a lot of people in there that didn’t hurt us when they came in the game, it was really balanced. I think we are (the best team), but we proved that (Saturday). When we’re shooting well, we’re as good as any team in the state. We just have to prove it night in and night out.”
Ignacio is back in action when it travels to play Ridgway at 7 p.m. Friday.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
