Sanford beats Sargent

SANFORD — The Sanford High girls’ basketball team broke open what was initially a slow, methodical contest, scoring 21 points in the final stanza to earn a crucial, 47-35, Southern Peaks League win over rival Sargent Saturday.

The Indians held a 26-23 halftime advantage before busting loose in the fourth quarter. Sanford got a team-high 14 points from Tori Mortensen, while Whitney Canty and Kayla Jones, scored seven and six points, respectively. Sargent’s Adriana Aguilara led all scorers with 17 points, while Taelor Mullins added seven.

Sanford is now 7-6 overall and 5-2 in SPL play.



Moffat earns big win

MOFFAT— The Moffat Cowgirls buried visiting Sierra Grande in a hole just deep enough that the Panthers weren’t able to dig themselves out of on Saturday.

Moffat built a 27-18 advantage through three quarters and withstood a furious come-from-behind rally from Sierra Grande to claim a narrow 40-38 District VI victory. The Panthers failed to capitalize on their opportunities from the free throw line, sinking only six of 30 attempts. The Cowgirls, on the other hand, made five of the 10 of their charity attempts.

Moffat’s Brenna Hunter scored a game-high 18 points, while Randi Black added eight. Sierra Grande’s Brook Lucero finished with 14 points and Rikki Archuleta scored 10.

“We played kick -butt defense for three and a half quarters,” Moffat head coach Will Shellabarger said. “We got a little rattled at the end, but luckily we had enough to hold on to it. We know that they’re quick and they like to get up and down the floor.”

Moffat is 6-5 in league and 8-5 overall. Sierra Grande falls to 10-3 overall and 6-2 overall.



Center awakes giant

LA VETA — The Center High girls’ basketball team were on the wrong side of a 65-36 score Saturday Southern Peaks League action in La Veta.

The Vikings hung tough early, trailing 14-11 at halftime, but the Redskins got going in a big way scoring 51 points, while limiting Center to 15 in the second half. La Veta was on target from the free throw line as well, cashing in 16 of 18 attempts.

“We played pretty well in the first half, but it seemed like we woke a sleeping giant for the second half,” Center head coach David Jackson said. “La Veta pressured us a lot and we turned the ball over in the second half. We did a good job of taking care of the ball in the first half and actually played pretty good defense. But once we got into that second half they just got going.”

Shelby Morgan scored a game-high 22 points for La Veta, while teammate Cara Campbell added 14. Center was paced by Jessica Lovato with 10 points, while Ashley Warsh tallied seven, Taylor Lovato had four and Marina Ruybal had one three-point goal.

Center is now 5-9 overall and 1-6 in the SPL.





SdC fends off Bayfield

MOSCA — The Sangre de Cristo girls’ basketball team made a first quarter statement, scoring 18 points in the first quarter en route to a 43-33 non-conference win over visiting Bayfield Saturday.

The Thunderbirds’ Brooke McKinley score a game-high 21 points, including 12 in that decisive first period. McKinley dominated inside the paint and forced the Wolverines into a tight zone defense.

“Brooke tore them up inside,” Sangre de Cristo head coach Brandon Brubacher said. “She was the reason they packed it in. We knew they were a high-tempo type of team and we just tried to slow them down.”

Another key factor for the Thunderbirds early on was a pair of three-point goals by Megan Beiriger, who finished with 16 points. Still, Sangre de Cristo managed to solve the Bayfield zone defense.”

The Thunderbirds are now 7-6 overall and 4-2 in Southern Peaks League play.