Getting 12 points from sophomore guard Charlize Valdez and 10 from freshman Avaleena Nanaeto, the Ignacio Bobcat girls led by 12 points after one quarter and 22 through two en route to a 56-21 road win at Mancos Tuesday evening, Jan. 15.

Sophomore guard Ebonee Gomez chipped in eight points-all during the second half-and freshman guard Monica Lucero six as ten of Justa Whitt's eleven players scored at least one point. And if there was one thing in which the Jays could take pride defensively, it was keeping IHS sophomore guard Jayden Brunson scoreless, after she had netted 23 points on Jan. 10 at Dolores (a 67-20 win) and 18 versus Norwood (a 62-8 win) on Jan. 12.

Still, MHS trailed 16-4 after one quarter, 33-11 at intermission, and 49-12 going into the final quarter inside the Mancos Performance Center. Hitting two three-pointers, junior guard/forward Isis Jaime led the home team with eight points while senior Ericka Peacock scored six and sophomore Tia Imel five.

Now 6-4 overall and 5-0 in the 2A/1A San Juan Basin, IHS is next slated to visit Ridgway at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, and then Telluride at 2:30 p.m. the next afternoon. Mancos (0-10, 0-3) will next host Ouray on the 18th and RHS on the 19th.

Bobcat boys fall to JaysAble to battle the Blue Jay boys to a 15-15 draw through eight minutes, Ignacio slowed in the second quarter and couldn't quite recover in losing 59-48.

Entering the game after wins at Dolores (48-35) and at home over Norwood (57-25), the 'Cats slipped to 4-7 overall and 3-2 in SJBL action. Under new head coach Elijah Knepper and with an already strong frontcourt bolstered by 6'7" senior transfer Vassar Stephens, Mancos (6-4, 3-0) led the contest 33-21 at halftime. The Jays were ahead 45-30 after three quarters before IHS re-ignited down the home stretch to win the fourth 18-14.

Up next, Chris Valdez's Bobcats will face Ridgway at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, weather permitting, and travel to Telluride the next day for a 4 p.m. start.