The Ignacio High School boys basketball team does not know when to give in. That was evident in Saturday’s 75-67 win over Ouray at IHS.
The Bobcats (13-2, 8-0 2A/1A San Juan Basin League), ranked No. 6 in the latest CHSAANow.com poll, came back from 11 points in the fourth quarter on two separate occasions, and outscored the Trojans 29-16 in the quarter to pull off a comeback win. IHS was led by Bryce Finn with 18 points, Brady McCaw had 16, and recorded seven steals, while Bird Red had 10. The Trojans (10-4, 4-3 SJBL), ranked No. 10 in 1A, had a monster effort from wing Channing Green, who had a game-high 30 points, and made five 3-pointers. Shooting guard Jackson Leo made four 3-pointers to keep the Trojans in it.
“Credit to Ouray, they’re a top-10 team for sure,” said IHS head coach Chris Valdez. “We trailed the whole game until Ocean Hunter got a technical foul with six minutes left, and that’s what sparked us. We went to a diamond press and had Dylan Labarthe in the middle, Keegan Schurman and Brady McCaw were fantastic and got in the passing lane so many times. We were able to get steals from there. We could’ve scored more, but we were 8-of-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth.”
Ignacio will look for a league title on Tuesday when it travels to Mancos (14-3, 8-1 SJBL) at 7 p.m. in Mancos.
“Today was good for us because we needed to be tested,” Valdez said. “If Ouray didn’t play well, I don’t think that would have prepared us for Mancos. I think it was a big wakeup call that we can lose to anyone at any time. We were in this situation in league last year, and we shared the title. We want to win it outright.”
The Durango High School boys basketball team tried to slow down its offense Saturday afternoon against Fruita Monument, but the Demons still came up short in a 43-37 loss.
Fruita (17-5, 5-0 5A/4A Southwestern League) raced out to a 24-14 lead at halftime, and even after Durango used a triangle-and-two offense to spread the floor, the Wildcats’ quick offense still scored baskets. Durango (9-13, 0-7 SWL) put the ball for much of the game in junior guard Jordan Woolverton’s hands, and he delivered. He scored 19 points to lead DHS, but it was not enough.
“I’m proud of the boys for bouncing back and being more disciplined,” said DHS head coach Alan Batiste. “All things considered, we played pretty good. Last time we lost by 40 to them, and we had it within three with three minutes left at 34-31. It was a good effort to spread the floor today and slow it down, but Fruita was just a bit too much.”
DHS, which entered the game at No. 46 in the 4A RPI poll, will have one last shot to get a league win when it hosts Grand Junction Central (6-15, 2-4 SWL) at 7 p.m. Friday for senior night.
Girls basketball
Girls basketballThe Durango High School girls basketball team put up a fight, but came up short against Class 5A No. 8 Fruita Monument in a 52-35 loss Saturday on the road.
Durango (13-9, 4-3 SWL) was led by Emma Fitzgerald and Mason Rowland with eight points, Jael Larson had six and Catherine Paul had five off of the bench. Anna Cuntz and Fitzgerald each had six rebounds.
“It was a very physical came, and sometimes you can’t bounce back from it,” said DHS assistant coach Deb Lee. “Fruita had a lot more opportunities at the foul line, and that was the difference.”
The Wildcats (20-2, 6-1 SWL) went to the free-throw line 34 times in the win.
DHS will look to end the regular season strong when it hosts Grand Junction Central (11-10, 1-5 SWL) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Ignacio High School girls basketball team played stout defense to earn a 48-10 win over Ouray on its senior day.
The Bobcats (12-5, 7-0 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) were led by Monika Lucero with 11 points, Makayla Howell had five and three other players had four. Ouray (2-12, 1-6 SJBL) did not score points in he first or third quarters.
The Trojans did their own bit to help raise money for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Movement, which the Bobcats are honoring the cause for the rest of the season. Before the game, the team presented a check for $250, which was raised by Ouray’s players and coaches.
“They took the initiative in their own community, and wanted to raise awareness for the issue, as well,” said IHS head coach Justa Whitt. “They plan on making a mural for their own school, and plan to do it next week for their senior day. It really touched my heart. It was great to have some solidarity, and there was a lot of compassion shown today.”
Ignacio will have one last league game against Mancos (3-14, 3-6 SJBL) at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Mancos.
bploen@durangoherald.com
