Having surfaced above .500 just twice during the 2021-22 season, both times in the past two weeks, the Ignacio Lady Bobcats broke even for the campaign. Ignacio fell 47-38 at Peyton in the Class 2A-Region VIII semifinals Friday to finish its season 11-11 overall.
Seeded No. 25 in the Class 2A state tournament’s opening round of 32 teams, IHS trailed the regional-hosting No. 8 Lady Panthers by just two points, 13-11, through one quarter and went into halftime still in contention, down 19-13. Protecting their court effectively, Peyton widened the gap to 37-25 after three quarters and managed to hang on down the home stretch despite the guests winning the fourth quarter 13-10.
Junior Harmony Reynolds led Ignacio with 16 points. Classmate Laci Brunson scored 12, and senior Avaleena Nanaeto contributed eight, including seven free throws in nine tries. Senior Elisia Cruz and sophomore Darlyn Mendoza-Lechuga both added one. Reynolds’ 10 rebounds gave her a double-double, while Brunson logged four rebounds and six assists.
Despite finishing with four personal fouls, sophomore Abbie Nickell led the victors with 17 points. Classmate A.J. Mannering booked 16 points, seven boards and six assists. Junior Shaylee Gee finished with seven points and as many rebounds. Senior Tara Graham netted six points as Peyton advanced to face No. 9 Sedgwick County, which eliminated No. 24 Monte Vista 51-30 in the other semifinal, in the regional final.
And Sedgwick County would meet the same fate as Ignacio against the Black Forest League champs, who pulled out a 36-34 win. The win was Peyton’s 16th consecutive conquest since a Dec. 17 loss to Sanford at Fowler’s Christmas Classic. PHS would defeat Fowler to save third place at the event, while 3A Colorado Springs Christian’s 42-38 win over Sanford in the finale is currently SHS’ only setback this season.
Bound next for the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland and the Great Eight phase beginning Thursday, the Lady Panthers ended the regional having improved to 18-5 overall. SC finished 15-7 and MVHS 13-10.
