The Ignacio High School boys basketball team had its first game in two weeks. Despite the gap, the Bobcats came out with a 64-41 win over Ridgway on Friday night at IHS.
“We came out hot tonight, and we led by as many as 21 in the first half, but credit to them for coming back,” IHS head coach Chris Valdez said. “We were never able to really put them away until pretty much right at the very end there.”
Bryce Finn led Ignacio with 18 points. Ocean Hunter had 17 and Brady McCaw had 11. The Bobcats (7-7, 5-2 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) started the game on a 10-0 run and led 15-5 after the first. The Demons (5-8, 3-4 SJBL) responded with a 14-10 second quarter and were down 32-19 at halftime. In the second half, Finn took over and scored 11 points in the frame and had 16 of his 18 in the half.
The Bobcats will take on first-place Telluride (10-4, 6-2 SJBL) at 2:30 p.m. at the SunUte Community Center.
“Telluride is going to be another tough one,” Valdez said. “They beat Mancos, so they are really talented. The good part is, if we beat them, we’re right in the hunt. We’re going to put all of our eggs into that basket tomorrow, and hopefully we can come away with a W.”
The Bayfield High School boys basketball team dropped its second consecutive game after falling in overtime to Montezuma-Cortez 60-55 on Friday night at Cortez.
The Panthers (12-3, 4-3 3A Intermountain League) outscored the Wolverines 17-4 in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bayfield (10-6, 5-2 IML) led by eight at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 51 before Bayfield finally scored with under two minutes remaining in the game. Cortez tied it with one minute remaining, and neither side was able to get the game-winning basket.
In the extra frame, Cortez went on a 5-0 run before Bayfield would score its only basket to get within 58-55 with under one minute left. Cortez made 2-of-2 free throws to ice the game.
Bayfield will remain on the road as it will take on Centauri at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Durango High School boys basketball team could not keep pace with a high-scoring Fruita Monument team as it fell 74-50 on the road to the Wildcats on Friday.
The Demons (9-9, 1-3 5A/4A Southwestern League) were led by Cullen Robinette, who had 15 points, while Jordan Woolverton and Anthony Flint had eight.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats (16-4, 5-0 SWL) pounded the post, as they outscored the Demons 18-11 and took a 29-18 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Fruita ran away for good.
“They were pushing the ball and they probably had 50 points in the paint alone,” said DHS head coach Alan Batiste. “It was an open floor type of game, and they made the most of it. We had six turnovers in the first seven possessions of the half, and just like that we were down 20.”
Despite 22 points in the fourth from DHS, Fruita held on for the win.
DHS will travel to play Grand Junction at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Girls Basketball
Girls BasketballThe Ignacio High School girls basketball team had nine players score in a convincing 59-20 win over Ridgway on Friday night at IHS.
The Bobcats (10-4, 9-0 SJBL) remained undefeated in conference play behind a 13-point performance from Ebonee Gomez, while Kiana Valdez and Avaleena Nanaeto each had eight points. Fernanda Tavares chipped in seven points off the bench. Ridgway was led by Ashley Medina, who tied the game-high mark of 13 points.
“It wasn’t as crisp as we need it to be, but it was still a nice win,” said IHS head coach Justa Whitt. “On a whole, nine players scoring is good, and it’s nice to see that the bulk of the scoring is coming not just from a few players, but, still, we are always looking to improve.”
Ignacio started off the game on a roll, as it scored the first nine points of the game and would lead 12-3 after the end of the first. In the second half, the Bobcats got off to another good start, as they went on a 13-0 run to help force a running clock.
Ignacio will host Telluride (3-9, 1-6 SJBL) at 1 p.m. Saturday at the SunUte Community Center.
The Durango High School girls basketball team remained winless in the Class 5A/4A Southwestern League after it dropped a 43-27 road contest to Fruita Monument on Friday.
Durango (7-11, 0-4 SWL) got off to another slow start on offense, as the Demons scored just one basket in the opening quarter. Fruita led 18-10 heading into halftime, as Kloe Bates hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats breathing room after DHS cut it to five.
Durango will travel to Grand Junction at noon Saturday at Grand Junction High School.
bploen@durangoherald.com
