One could just imagine not only Bayfield Head Coach Lana Killough, but also Ignacio counterpart Shane Seibel asking their players during each timeout and huddle Tuesday night a very simple question:
Who wants to be a hero?
For even in a contest so mutually misplayed - the teams combined for 43 fouls and nearly 50 turnovers - one would still be needed, especially with area bragging rights the only thing at stake.
BHS senior forward Taylor Morris had already done her part inside BHS Gymnasium to earn that honor, scoring 11 of the Wolverines' 18 first-quarter points (her 13 three days earlier led the team in a 54-30 defeat of 2A Telluride) while defensively helping hold the visitors to just eight.
IHS freshman forward Morgan Herrera then did her best to lead the Bobcats' rally, registering 10 second-quarter points as the guests clawed back to a manageable 33-27 halftime deficit.
And, destined for near-ultimate heroics in the interleague battle's final minute, junior guard Avionne Gomez finally pulled Ignacio even at 35-35 early in the third quarter, only to see Morris immediately counter and regain Bayfield a two-point pad.
Still, as the last eight regulation minutes began, Bayfield's lead was tenuous; Bobcat freshman Makayla Howell had knocked down three clutch free throws after being fouled by BHS sophomore Jordan Lanning while attempting a desperation trey, bringing Ignacio to within 47-43.
Senior Alejandra Lujan, however, fouled out with 7:36 remaining - more or less giving BHS the upper hand - until junior Courtney Bayles picked up a technical foul with 6:22 left (Howell sank one of the two FT's) and Lanning then fouled out with 5:21 left. Gomez cashed both freethrows, keeping IHS close at 51-46.
Having seen plenty of action already, but inserted for good after Lujan's disqualification, sophomore guard Kiana Valdez had the entire Pine River Valley rocking when she nailed a three-pointer, trimming Bayfield's lead down to 53-52 with 1:51 to go. The volume then went off the dial when Gomez drained her only trey from the corner nearest the Bobcats' bench, suddenly putting the guests on the verge of an improbable victory with only 40 ticks left. But there was still time for additional heroics.
Looking to make amends for the technical, Bayles fought through the paint for a third-chance cleanup basket, tying the score at 55-55 with only about 15 seconds remaining. Alertly anticipating a quick and long inbounds pass to the other end, BHS senior guard Chloe Weybright managed to not only steal the ball before a shot in the paint could go up, but also draw a foul as Howell - attempting to retake the rock - extended her left foot a bit too far, causing both to crash-land. Howell (9 points), unfortunately, exited favoring her ankle. With only six seconds showing on the clock, Weybright stepped to the opposite charity stripe for her double-bonus tries.
Having missed all three of her fourth-quarter freebies in managing just two points versus Telluride, Weybright made no mistake in swishing both. Gomez's last-ditch prayer was off-target as the Wolverines secured their most important win in recent memory, 57-55.
"I was super nervous, and I usually miss free throws," said Weybright, who totaled 13 points and was 3-of-4 at the line."
"Bayfield played hard, never gave up," Seibel said.
"Tonight was what basketball is all about. We were a couple of rebounds away. They got those offensive rebounds and the putback. If we get one of those, it's ball game."
Morris registered a game-best 19 points, while Herrera, her conditioning hampered by a preseason concussion, finished with 15 in her first action this season, hitting just one of 10 free throws. Valdez finished with 10 points as well for IHS, which dipped to 3-2 overall. The Bobcats resume 2A/1A San Juan Basin League work Friday at Ridgway (0-5).
Helping BHS improve to 3-5 prior to starting their 3A Intermountain slate Friday against Centauri (8-1), Bayles and junior Savannah Kaufmann each booked five points. Lanning had four, and seniors Kyle Baker, Jade Sanders and Skyla Ruybal each contributed three.
