The Bayfield High School boys basketball team was victim of a gut-wrenching 64-60 overtime loss to Kirtland Central a year ago. The Wolverines got redemption when they stifled a fourth-quarter comeback effort by the Broncos to earn a 63-56 victory Tuesday night at Bronco Arena in Kirtland, New Mexico.
“I’d call it the best win of our season at this point,” BHS head coach Jeff Lehnus said. “It’s a win against a great team on the road, and they gave us some good looks with their press and half-court trapping, so that was good for us to see.”
After a close first quarter, the Bayfield defense held the potent Broncos’ offense, which had averaged 67 points per game through their first 13 games, to six points in the second quarter to take a 29-20 lead into halftime.
The Wolverines (5-4) kept the defensive pressure up in the third quarter. The Broncos (8-6) cut Bayfield’s lead to four points on a couple of occasions, but the Wolverines responded each time and took a 42-32 lead into the fourth quarter.
But the Broncos came out charging in the fourth and cut into the deficit. Kirtland Central got Bayfield’s lead down to 59-56 in the final minute of the game before the Wolverines closed out the game at the free-throw line.
Ryan Phelps led Bayfield with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Keyon Prior added 13 points and came away with several steals on defense. Dax Snooks finished with 10 points, and Hayden Farmer chipped in eight points to go with seven rebounds.
BHS has won three in a row and will open play in the 3A Intermountain League against Centauri (7-2) Friday in La Jara.
Girls Basketball
Girls BasketballThe Ignacio High School girls basketball team jumped out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter and never slowed down against Pine River rival Bayfield for a 66-23 victory Tuesday night in Ignacio.
“The girls came out strong. We started with our full-court press and great movement on the defensive end,” IHS head coach Trae Seibel said. “The girls played great team defense that built the lead going into halftime. The girls challenged themselves to not let Bayfield score 10 points in the second half and held them to nine.”
The Bobcats pushed their lead to 31-14 at halftime and 53-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Sophomore Morgan Herrera finished the night with a points-rebounds double-double for Ignacio (6-0) with 19 points and 12 rebounds. She also went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Avionne Gomez added 15 points, and Larissa Gallegos finished with 10 points for the Bobcats.
Senior Cinnaman Varnell and freshman Madison Wells led Bayfield (1-5) with five points each. Tiarra Christensen added four points.
Ignacio (3-0 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) will return to SJBL play when the Bobcats host Ridgway (0-6, 0-1 SJBL) on Friday.
Bayfield will open play in 3A Intermountain League play against Centauri (9-0) on Friday in La Jara. Centauri lost in last year’s state semifinals, 26-25, to eventual state-champion Lamar and finished fourth in Class 3A after a third-place game loss to Sterling.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
