Smothering second-half defense carried the Ignacio High School girls basketball team Thursday.
Playing in their first Class 1A/2A San Juan Basin League game of the season, the Bobcats turned a 30-20 halftime lead into a 48-30 victory.
It was the final game of 2015 for Ignacio (4-2, 1-0 SJBL). The Bobcats will take a break and face Ridgway at home Jan. 8.
Dolores fell to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league.
“Huge game for us going into winter break now with momentum,” IHS head coach Shane Seibel said. “For the program to be able to put together a good showing to open league is big. We think we can also improve to make a run at league.”
Ellie Seibel had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team in both categories. Chrystianne Valdez had seven points and three steals in what Coach Seibel called a huge night.
Avionne Gomez also had seven points and four rebounds.
Miriam Fernandez-Lopez also had six points, and Coach Seibel was thrilled with Cortney Wilson-Baker’s six points off the bench.
“Everyone contributed,” the coach said. “We adjusted defensively in the second half and came out and put pressure on, and our layups started to fall. That was the key.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
