Strong defensive play led by freshmen Hilda Garcia and Avionne Gomez helped give the Ignacio Bobcats a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Playing at home for the first time this season inside the SunUte Community Center, the Ignacio High School girls basketball team (3-2) picked up a 64-28 win against the Center Vikings (0-4).
The game was tied at 9 in the first quarter, but Garcia and Gomez accounted for five steals in the second quarter to help Ignacio build a 31-16 lead.
“We were able to pull away in the second quarter when our press came alive with Hilda and Avionne,” IHS head coach Shane Seibel said. “They made five steals to open the ball game up for us.”
Garcia had a game-high 17 points to go with five rebounds and four steals. Gomez finished with eight points and three steals, and junior Ellie Seibel added 15 points and six rebounds for IHS.
“Our defense was tenacious. The girls played really well and made it difficult for Center to get any open shots,” coach Seibel said. “Offensively, they really passed the ball well. They were unselfish and got good, open shots.”
The game wrapped up non-league play for the Bobcats. IHS will host Dolores at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the San Juan League opener.
“We’re really focused on league play now, and we’re going to take it one game at a time,” coach Seibel said.
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