CENTER – The third-ranked Sanford High School girls basketball team assured itself of at least a share of the Southern Peaks League title on Thursday as it defeated Center 49-21 at the CHS gym.

Makynlee Faucette put the Mustangs on the board first with a layup, then Avery Koenig made a 3-point basket. Brinlyn smith also scored a layup and added a free throw to give Sanford an 8-0 lead.

Charli Martinez put the Vikings on the board with a 3-pointer, but Smith drained another three, and Bella Peterson split at the free throw line to give the Mustangs a 12-3 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Hayden Peterson scored the first points of the second quarter, and Faucette made back-to-back layups for an 18-3 lead. Emiliana Valdez made two free throws, and Dulce Palma a layup to cut the deficit to 18-7.

Journey Caldon and Smith both made 3-pointers for a 24-7 advantage. Bella Peterson scored in the final minute to extend the Sanford lead to 26-7 at halftime.

Emiliana Valdez split at the line to open the second half, and she later made a layup. Koenig and Smith both made two free tosses to give the Mustangs a 20-point lead.

Alyciana Lujan knocked down a jumper, but Bella Peterson and Jewel Caldon both made a pair from the line, and Jewel Caldon later made one of two free throws. Jewel Caldon made a layup, but Karyme Chavez made two free throws to cut the Sanford lead to 37-14 at the end of the third.

Koenig and Jelissa Peterson began the fourth quarter with layups, but Chavez scored for the Vikings. Villagomez made two free throws, but Hayden Peterson made back-to-back threes for a 47-18 advantage.

Edie Tafoya split at the line, but Kiera Ruggles scored for the Mustangs. Sofia Valdez made two free throws to wrap up the scoring.

Sanford was led by Smith with 11 points. Emiliana Valdez led Center with five.

Sanford (17-1, 4-0) hosted Del Norte in the league finale on Friday. It will conclude the regular season by hosting Pagosa Springs on Feb. 20.

Center (12-6, 2-3) will host Hoehne on Tuesday and will end the regular season against Mancos at home on Feb. 21.

Sanford 49, Center 21

Sanford – Smith 3 3-3 11, Koenig 2 2-2 7, Crowther 0 0-0 0, Je. Caldon 1 3-4 5, Faucette 3 0-0 6, Jo. Caldon 1 0-0 3, Casias 0 0-0 0, B. Peterson 1 3-4 5, H. Peterson 2 0-2 6, J. Peterson 1 0-0 2, Ruggles 2 0-0 4, Larson 0 0-0 0. Total 16 11-15 49.

3-point goals – H. Peterson 2, Smith 2, Jo. Caldon 1, Koenig 1. Total 6

Center – Villagomez 0 2-6 2, Lujan 1 0-0 2, Chavez 1 2-2 4, Palma 1 0-0 2, E. Valdez 1 3-4 5, Higuera 0 0-0 0, Martinez 1 0-0 3, Garcia 0 0-0 0, Miranda 0 0-0 0, Bogner 0 0-0 0, Tafoya 0 1-2 1, Dominguez 0 0-0 0, S. Valdez 0 2-2 2. Total 5 8-14 21.

3-point goals – Martinez 1. Total 1.

Sanford 12 14 11 12 – 49

Center 3 4 7 7 – 21

Fouls – Sanford 19, Center 19. Fouled out – Palma, E. Valdez.