Fourth-quarter rally at home not enough
Held to single-digit scoring during the first two quarters, and still trailing Monte Vista by 19 points with only eight minutes remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31, Ignacio’s Lady Bobcats suddenly caught fire.
Like magnesium exposed to oxygen in a high-school chemistry experiment, their burn was quick but hot; starting freshman Justina Jessepe pumped in three three-pointers and totaled a thrilling 11 of her game-high 13 points – all coming after halftime – and freshman reserve Jordan Wing sank one three particularly surprising the visitors.
Junior regular Maliyah Martinez also made one of two free throws, but MVHS countered by getting the basketball inside to sophomore post Sienna Daniel, whose height and size alone made her a matchup nightmare. Daniel managed two baskets and a free throw during the 3A/4A Intermountain League game’s final frame, offsetting IHS’ effort just enough to allow head coach Shawna Larson to empty her bench with 3:53 left – after two FTs by senior Reagan Futrell rebuilt the Lady Pirates’ lead to 43-23.
Ignacio senior guard Alyssa Atencio (8 points; 2-6 FT) fouled out only 14 seconds later, allowing Monte Vista to breathe much easier and, with Martinez well-watched defensively, try focusing on Jessepe. And in the end, IHS’ work wasn’t enough to overcome a scoreless first quarter and an early 9:47 scoring drought as MVHS left with a 45-30 road win.
After trailing the Lady Pirates (9-5 overall, 3-2 IML) 10-0 through the opening eight minutes inside a hushed IHS Gymnasium, the Lady ’Cats finally got on the scoreboard via sophomore forward/center Veronica Brown’s free throw made with 6:13 left until halftime. MVHS senior Hannah Henderhan responded with a free throw, resulting from a Brown foul, and Daniel added another after bulldozing Brown, unluckily whistled for blocking.
Complicating matters, both junior center/forward Catori Aasland (with 4:18 left) and Brown (3:24 left) each picked up her third personal foul – essentially inviting Monte Vista to utilize Daniel, Henderhan and senior Madison Henderhan even more. Junior Janessa Marquez made both free throws – offsetting Ignacio’s long-awaited first field goal, finally netted by Atencio – after being bumped by Brown, giving MVHS a 14-3 advantage which grew to 21-7 by half’s end.
Jessepe began the third quarter with a two-pointer but the girls in green responded with a trey by senior Heysenny Beltran, went on to outscore IHS 13-8 and started the fourth quarter up by an imposing 34-15 margin.
Daniel (3-6 FT) ended up with a team-leading nine points, Marquez (6-6 FT) followed with eight and junior Destiny Pacheco seven. Beltran booked six points and senior Evie Hinds – a Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports All-State Volleyball Games (Class 2A-Red team) selection in the fall – five as nine individuals contributed to the victors’ total. Brown (3-4 FT) scored three points and senior Juliann Avila (2-2 FT) two for IHS in defeat.
Looking ahead, the Lady ’Cats (3-13 overall, 1-5 IML) will next travel on Saturday, Feb. 7, to 4A Pagosa Springs, then on the 12th to 3A Bayfield before beginning a three-game homestand on the 13th against La Jara-based 3A Centauri.