Getting the start they sought in their last game before the holiday break, Bayfield’s girls basketball team unfortunately couldn’t collect a more-coveted conclusion Saturday afternoon. BHS ended up falling to San Juan High School (Blanding, Utah) 46-34 to close out 2022.
Breaking out to a 10-4 lead through one quarter over the Broncos – who utilized mostly JV players and varsity reserves – with junior Genesis Barrera scoring six and sophomore Renae Foutz booking four, BHS went into halftime trailing 22-18. SJHS junior guard Synessa Atcitty (who totaled a team-leading 13 points) led the guests’ initial rally.
Barrera booked another six points during the third quarter, but had no support as San Juan’s lead grew to 36-24 entering the final frame. Refusing to concede without a fight, the Wolverines (2-3 overall, 0-0 3A/4A Intermountain) managed to trade evenly, 10 points for 10, during the closing eight minutes, but couldn’t claim their third win of the 2022-23 season.
Racking up a game-high 21 points, including a fourth-quarter three-pointer, Barrera expressed afterward her confidence in a simple solution to get Bayfield on the winning side of such a close contest.
“Honestly, on offense … slow down. That’s it,” she said. “Just slow down, take your time, watch for the open look … that’s it. Points after points, it’s just more fun to keep playing – it pushes you more. Keeps me motivated!”
“We’ll push it at practice the next week or so,” Barrera continued, “just keep … getting better.”
Foutz finished with 11 points, and junior Michelle Kirk chipped in two.
For San Juan (3-3, 0-0 UHSAA 2A Region 19), freshman Averie Gilson and sophomore Hayden Shumway logged eight points apiece to back Atcitty, and freshman Kaidence Mitchell contributed five as eight Broncos recorded at least one point.
BHS will next see action Jan. 6 in Durango against DHS’ JV.
