IGNACIO
Justin Carver put an exclamation point on the Ignacio High School boys basketball team’s 83-38 win over Ouray on Friday with 6 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
He trailed Clayton Jefferson on a fast break, who gave it up to Carver for the once-handed slam dunk that brought the bench and crowd to their feet.
“I was right there behind him in case he missed,” said Carver, son of Amy Davis and Carolyn and Erwin Taylor. “He just decided to give it up like a great teammate. It kind of got everyone riled up.”
IHS head coach Chris Valdez pulled his starters for good after that because the Bobcats’ 15th consecutive win was well in hand. He had reinserted them at the start of the fourth quarter leading 68-28 to keep them sharp.
“Even though they didn’t need to be in there, they’ve got to be used to playing more than half a game,” Valdez said. “You go into the playoffs just playing half a game and you don’t have the energy level.”
The Bobcats’ bench brought plenty of energy to Thursday’s game during its extended time on the floor. They scored 28 points, led by Bo Ward’s 15, which tied for the overall team lead.
Nick Herrera did a solid impression of his older brother, Alex Herrera, with seven rebounds and four blocks. The elder Herrera, a five-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week this season for Fort Lewis College, is fourth all-time in Colorado blocks and owns the single-season record for most blocks in a season.
“Their energy off the bench is great,” Valdez said. “It’s always somebody different wanting to step up for the team.”
Adison Jones also scored 15 points for the Bobcats, primarily by attacking the basket and making shots in traffic.
IHS (15-0, 5-0 San Juan Basin League) started to go toward the basket more after settling for – but making – 3-pointers early in the game.
The Bobcats hit 10 shots total from beyond the arc, led by Wyatt Hayes and Jefferson with three each.
“We have the freedom to do whatever, but if our shots aren’t falling, then we’re going to drive and try and get baskets inside,” said Jones, son of Greg Jones and Latisha Taylor.
IHS opened the game on a 23-2 run and never looked back.
The Bobcats played for the second consecutive night Thursday after defeating Nucla 97-7 on Wednesday.
They’ll play again at Mancos on Friday night to close out a four-game week.
“I think it picks (our energy level) up more,” Carver said. “Nobody likes to practice year-round.”
Mancos is 11-5 this season and has won two consecutive games at home.
Mancos sophomore Ro Paschal leads the Bluejays in scoring at 17.8 points per game, while Daniel Christensen contributes 8.3 per contest.
“They’re playing tough,” Valdez said. “We’ve got to match that energy at their house in a small gym where we can’t really get out and run.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
