When the 2020 Colorado high school basketball season was canceled after the playing of the state quarterfinals, it came as Ignacio was slated to play the next day against Sanford in a Class 2A consolation bracket game. It never happened.
So it was only fitting the two teams met in the 2021 season opener during a season shortened to 15 games in seven weeks after being postponed because of the coronavirus.
But it was only the season opener for the visiting Ignacio High School boys basketball team, as Sanford had already played twice in the week. That extra experience showed in the first quarter, as Sanford took a 16-11 lead. That’s all the host needed to hold off Ignacio for a 53-48 win.
Sanford (2-1), which was ranked No. 5 in Class 2A in the preseason poll but suffered a 62-55 loss Friday at home to No. 11 Mancos, got 18 points from senior Ruben Chavez. Junior forward Ethan Larsen added 11 points.
No. 8 Ignacio (0-1) was led by 16 points from Brady McCaw, while Bryce Finn scored 11.
IHS will face Pine River rival Bayfield (0-2) and Montezuma-Cortez this Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the Southwest Classic tournament hosted this year by Durango High School.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
