The Bayfield High School basketball programs had a tough task to try and beat the impressive Centauri men’s and women’s basketball teams. Neither Wolverine squad could get the job done as the boys lost 66-50 and the girls lost 81-22 on Saturday.
Seniors Cooper Roderick and Lincoln Williams combined for 27 points, but BHS was put on the rugged comeback trail early as only one of the team’s seven first-half field goals was made from inside the 3-point perimeter. Conversely, the Falcons frequently carved through Bayfield’s defense for several close-range finishes, and confidently outrebounded their hosts in building leads of 14-6 after one quarter and 34-20 through two.
CHS junior Carson Shawcroft then canned a trey to start the third quarter, and the Wolverines (11-7 overall, 5-3 3A/4A Intermountain) got no closer the rest of the way than 41-35 via a three by sophomore reserve Drew Jepson. Even with senior standouts Troy Sowards and Carson Bagwell held to just two points total, the Falcons soon began the final frame still up 46-35 thanks to sophomore backup Keadon McGinnis’ clutch triple with 6.6 ticks left in the third.
The Wolverines began the final frame with a three by Roderick, who then offset Falcon senior Jace Haslett’s inside jumper with his runner in the paint – trimming the visitors’ lead down to 48-40 before Sowards responded with two free throws.
That all occurred within one minute; the remaining 7:08 saw Williams attack for eight points, but receive little in support while Sowards pumped in another seven as Centauri (18-0, 8-0 IML) ably swapped points with Bayfield down the stretch.
Sowards and Bagwell each scored a game-high 17 points, while Shawcroft and McGinnis each logged nine. The Falcons totaled five three-pointers and made nine of 13 FTs.
Splashing four treys himself, Roderick finished with a BHS-best 14 points, while Williams (5-6 FT) ended up with 13. All told, BHS made eight threes and eight of 11 FTs.
Bayfield will travel to Ignacio on Thursday and welcome Monte Vista the next evening. Centauri will visit IHS on Friday, then hurry home to host MVHS on Saturday.
Centauri’s girls team improved to 15-3 overall and 7-1 in the 4A/3A Intermountain League after their 81-22 win. Bayfield fell to 5-13 overall and 0-8 in the 4A/3A Intermountain League.
Leading 21-2 after the first quarter and 45-7 going into halftime, CHS made four threes and 19 of 26 free throws.
The Wolverines enjoyed quite a third quarter against Centauri – bent on keeping pace with front-running Pagosa Springs, plus denying BHS a first league win.
By the time the quarter – kicked off by junior Lily Muir’s corner 3-pointer in front of the home side’s bench – concluded, Bayfield had scored more points than they’d managed during the teams’ previous encounter Saturday. CHS’ 26 points during the same eight-minute session easily doubled up the Wolverines’ 13 and the visitors – victorious in La Jara by a 72-7 margin – carried a 71-20 advantage into the fourth and final frame.
Celebrating her birthday, sophomore regular Rylie McCarroll finished the 81-22 road win by making two free throws.
McCarroll (5-6 FT) finished with nine points. Coming off the boss’ bench, sophomore Kynlei Curtis registered a game-high 11 points, and senior sub Emily Tibbitts (4-5 FT) tallied 10.
Bayfield finished with just Muir’s make from downtown and went 9-of-15 from the charity stripe. Senior Renae Foutz was 3-of-4 as she booked a team-best nine points. Muir (2-2 FT) finished with seven.
The Wolverines will travel to Ignacio on Thursday and then welcome Monte Vista the next evening. Centauri will visit IHS on Friday, then race back home to host MVHS on Saturday.
