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Garcia guns Bobcats past Bayfield

Sophmore's 25 almost equals BHS' 35

Anticipation didn't degenerate into hesitation Tuesday evening, and behind five three-pointers and 25 total points from sophomore guard Hilda Garcia. Ignacio ably defended its floor against visiting Bayfield, 68-35.

"We were pumped!" Garcia said. "We came out knowing what to expect, and we just gave it our all!"

The Bobcats had watched the Wolverines struggle inside BHS Gymnasium against 3A Intermountain League foes Monte Vista and Montezuma-Cortez last Friday and Saturday, respectively. So IHS had to be ready to welcome a squad stoked to reverse its course at its local rival's expense.

And for the first half of the first quarter, BHS was exactly that in keeping the score low and close, though trailing 8-4. But Garcia's first trey helped Ignacio go into the second quarter ahead 18-9, and with 5:54 still left before halftime, senior Chrystianne Valdez's first basket increased the lead to 30-10.

Despite constantly facing stifling full-court pressure, the Wolverines managed to outscore IHS 8-7 before intermission to return to the locker room down 19, but showing many more signs of life than what MVHS or M-CHS saw in their lopsided conquests.

Enjoying one of her finest games so far this season was junior Amber Johnson, who scored six points during the second quarter and would finish with a team-high 12. Junior Maddi Foutz contributed well off the bench with seven points, and junior forward Taylor Morris netted six after a pair of foul-plagued outings.

But after winning the third quarter battle 13-6, Ignacio put the non-league issue to rest in the fourth. Two threes from Garcia and two from sophomore Avionne Gomez won the final period 18-11.

"It was nice knowing that my team trusted me enough to let me take the ball, you know?" said Garcia. "And knowing that me and Avi were hot.it was really nice."

Gomez finished with 13 points after managing just three during the first half. Senior Ellie Seibel recorded eight, senior Miriam Fernandez-Lopez and junior Alejandra Lujan each booked six and Valdez totaled five as IHS improved to 8-3 (still 4-0 in the 2A/1A San Juan Basin League) overall in preparation for tonight's rematch at home versus Dolores (8-5, 5-2).

"We've got ourselves back in the position we want in our league," Garcia said, "so we're ready for them."

Junior Kyle Baker scored five points for Bayfield, matching freshman regular Tymbree Florian's count.

Up next, the Wolverines (3-8, 0-3 IML) will welcome Pagosa Springs (11-0, 3-0) tonight for their third game against highly-rated opposition in one week. Monte Vista was #9 in the Jan. 18 CHSAANow.com Class 3A poll, Ignacio #10 in the updated 1/25 2A rankings, and PSHS #1 in the 1/25 3A poll.

BHS' rescheduled game at 2A Telluride then follows on Tuesday, Feb. 2, while IHS hosts Mancos.