SANFORD – The second-ranked Sanford High School girls basketball team engaged in a rivalry game with Del Norte in the Southern Peaks League blue bracket semifinals Thursday at the SHS gym.

The contest was a low-scoring one with the Lady Tigers leading at halftime. But the Lady Mustangs came alive in the second half and went on to win 30-25.

Shasta Bond scored the first points of the game, but Brynley Brown tied the score. Claire Crowther then made a 3-point basket, however, Reese Brown countered with one of her own on the other side of the court.

Emma Parra split at the free throw line to give Del Norte a 6-5 lead. Hadley Leggett and Brynley Brown both scored baskets, and Kaitlyn Velasquez made one of two free throws to give the Lady Tigers an 11-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Bella Peterson scored the first points of the second quarter and Brooklynn Reynolds made a three to bring the Lady Mustangs within 11-10. Velasquez scored Del Norte’s only points of the period and it led 13-10 at halftime.

Crowther drove for a layup to bring the Lady Mustangs within a 13-12 deficit. Parra made a layup, but Brinlyn Smith scored to cut the Del Norte lead to 15-14.

Crowther sank two free throws to put Sanford back on top, and Reynolds made her second trey for a 19-15 lead. Velasquez drove for a layup, but so did Reynolds and the Lady Mustangs had a 21-17 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Crowther made two more free throws to open the fourth quarter, but Leggett knocked down a jumper. Avery Koenig and Bond both split at the line, but Brynley Brown and Parra both scored to bring the Lady Tigers within 25-23.

Crowther sank two more from the line, but Leggett drove for a layup. Makynlee Faucette made one of two free throws, and Crowther made two from the charity stripe to wrap up the scoring.

Crowther led Sanford in scoring with 13 points, followed by Reynolds with eight.

Brynley Brown was Del Norte’s top scorer with six points, followed by Velasquez and Reese Brown both with five.

Sanford now has a record of 20 wins and two losses, while Del Norte is 13-7.

Southern Peaks League tourney

The SPL Tournament is a combination of all of the Class 2A and 1A teams in the league.

The tournament is divided into two brackets – the blue bracket for the higher ranked teams, and the gold bracket for the rest.

The tournament started on Tuesday. In the gold bracket, Sangre de Cristo defeated Moffat 49-27, Crested Butte defeated Antonito 52-12, and Custer County defeated Lake City by forfeit. Centennial drew a bye.

In the consolation semifinals, Antonito defeated Lake City 44-23, and Moffat drew a bye. In the semifinals, Sangre de Cristo defeated Centennial 43-32, and Crested Butte defeated Custer County 37-25.

The rest of the tournament took place on Friday at Monte Vista with Moffat meeting Antonito in the consolation final, Centennial facing Custer County for third place, and Sangre de Cristo playing Crested Butte for the championship.

Scores were unavailable at press time.

In the first round of the blue bracket on Tuesday, Sanford defeated Trinidad 49-22, Del Norte defeated Sierra Grande 44-32, Center defeated South Park 19-15, and Sargent defeated Creede 60-31.

In the consolation semifinals on Thursday, Sierra Grande defeated Trinidad 41-25, and Creede defeated South Park 39-37. In the other semifinal game, Sargent defeated Center 39-25.

The tournament ends today at Monte Vista. In the seventh-place game, Trinidad will face South Park. Sierra Grande will play Creede in the consolation game. Del Norte will take on Center for third place, and Sanford will play Sargent in the championship.

Sanford 30, Del Norte 25

Del Norte – Velasquez 2 1-2 5, Parra 2 1-6 4, Leggett 2 0-2 4, Laymon 0 0-0 0, R. Brown 2 0-0 5, B. Brown 3 0-0 6, Ruybal 0 0-0 0. Total 11 2-10 25.

3-point goals – R. Brown 1. Total 1.

Sanford – Smith 1 0-0 2, Koenig 0 1-2 1, Crowther 2 8-8 13, Reynolds 3 0-0 8, Bond 1 1-2 3, Caldon 0 0-2 0, Faucette 0 1-4 1, B. Peterson 1 0-0 2, H. Peterson 0 0-0 0. Total 8 11-18 30.

3-point goals – Reynolds 2, Crowther 1. Total 3.

Del Norte 11 2 4 8 – 25

Sanford 5 5 11 9 – 30

Fouls – Del Norte 14, Sanford 15.