Down 20-5 after the opening eight minutes Friday evening in Loveland, Ignacio’s struggle against mighty Resurrection Christian was all uphill. The Bobcats, climb as they might, could do little more than glimpse the summit.
Senior guard Ty Yoder and 6-foot-5-inch senior forward Graham Riggs performed about as expected for RC – seeded No. 1 in the 3A boys basketball state tournament’s opening round of 32 – as each finished with 14 points. Six-foot-four-inch senior Cade Crutcher made two 3-pointers and totaled 10 points, but Blake Cox was especially problematic for No. 32 IHS.
Recalling former Bobcat big Gabe Cox’s effectiveness inside, the 6’6” senior center went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and totaled a game-high 16 points as the Region I-hosting Cougars prevailed 68-29 and improved to 24-0 overall.
Coming off head coach Trae Seibel’s bench, senior Angelo Frost drilled two threes and totaled his team-high eight points during the second half. Senior regular Charley Pargin made one three and finished with seven points, while sophomore Cayson Burcham made one three and totaled five.
Junior Trace Crane finished with three points – all during the second quarter, which ended with the Bobcats (11-13 overall) trailing 37-10. Even after coming alive during the third quarter, with senior Coty Webb and junior Stoney White Thunder joining Frost and Pargin in nailing one 3-pointer apiece, Ignacio still entered the final frame down 59-26.
IGNACIO GIRLS LOSE AT CEDAREDGE: Sent north to Delta County for round of 32 action in the girls 3A basketball state tournament, a second half slowdown doomed Ignacio in Region IV semifinal play at Cedaredge on Friday.
Trailing the hosting Bruins 11-9 after one quarter and 22-20 at halftime, the Bobcats were outscored 15-6 during the third quarter and 18-6 in the fourth as CHS pulled away to win 55-32.
Junior Sammy Denison made four 3-pointers and totaled 14 points for No. 4 seed Cedaredge (24-0 overall) and senior Carley Malinowski made three of five FTs and totaled 13 points to go with her 14 rebounds. Senior Abby Brooks contributed seven points and senior Addie Hanson six.
Individual numbers for 29-seed Ignacio (8-15 overall) were unavailable at press time.
