A lid was on both baskets the first half. Only one team was able to pry it off in the second. Playing at the unusual time of 8:45 a.m. against the top seed in the CHSAA Class 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, the No. 8 Ignacio High School girls basketball team gave Yuma fits in the first half. The Bobcats claimed an early 7-5 lead in the first quarter and carried a 7-7 tie into the second quarter.
Scoring never picked up for the Ignacio girls, though, as the Bobcats (16-7) scored only 11 points in the final three quarters combined in a 43-18 loss to the Indians (21-3).
“We gave them a first half,” IHS head coach Shane Seibel said. “We were right there, but we had a really tough time offensively. Yuma played us good.”
The Indians did everything to take away the scoring threat of Ignacio junior Avionne Gomez. She never got a clean look at the basket
IHS senior Alejandra Lujan led the team with eight points. Seibel credited Lujan and freshman Morgan Herrera for defending 6-foot sophomore Chasey Blach, who finished with six points. Herrera finished with seven points, and Larissa Gallegos added three for IHS.
Yuma was led by Cody Robinson’s 19 points. Avery Whitehead finished with 10.
Playing in an arena that holds 7,200 fans gave the Bobcats a few jitters before the game. The altered depth perception in the gym also made shooting difficult for both teams in the first half.
“The girls never gave up,” Seibel said. “I appreciate that about them. They learned a lot, and we understand we have to do better. The girls were already talking about what they have to do this summer to get better for games like this, and that’s encouraging to hear.”
The Bobcats will get a chance to play again Friday in the consolation bracket. IHS will face No. 5 Simla. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Simla lost to No. 4 Wray 66-25 on Thursday.
“We want to make history and win a game up here,” Seibel said. “We want to win that one tomorrow and have a chance to play again Saturday.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
