Ignacio boys, Dove Creek girls earn victories

DOVE CREEK – The Ignacio boys and girls varsity basketball teams traveled to Dove Creek to compete against the Bulldogs on Saturday. Here is a quick recap of each game in Saturday’s twin feature.

The Bobcats defeated the Bulldogs in a striking performance, with the game gradually slipping out of reach for Dove Creek after a close first quarter.

Cayson Burcham led Ignacio (6-4) with 19 points, while Angelo Frost added 18. For Dove Creek (4-5), Liam Hassell was the top scorer with 18 points, but it was not enough to overcome Ignacio’s balanced scoring and strong second-half performance.

The first quarter was an even contest with each team playing a fast offense and defense that led to a tie at 9-9.

The Bobcats began to pull away in the second quarter with strong offensive drives to the basket despite facing some foul trouble during this stretch, scoring on a series of successful two-point field goals and converting seven of 12 free throws. They outscored Dove Creek 26-11 in the period, taking a 35-20 lead into halftime.

By the third quarter, Ignacio had built a commanding 51-27 lead. Although Dove Creek had a brief offensive surge in the final quarter, with Liam Hassell scoring nine points, it was not enough to close the large gap. Ignacio controlled the remainder of the game, securing a 67-39 victory.

Ignacio will travel to Sargent on Tuesday before beginning a series of league games. They will host Pagosa on Saturday, followed by Bayfield on Jan. 23 and Centauri on Jan. 24. Ignacio will host Montezuma-Cortez on Jan. 28 before traveling to Alamosa on Jan. 31.

Dove Creek will begin league play with a trip to Mancos on Tuesday, followed by a home game against Ridgway on Saturday. They will then travel to Monticello on Jan. 21 and Dolores on Jan. 25, and host Nucla on Jan. 28, before heading to Durango on Jan. 30.

Dove Creek defeated Ignacio in a hard-fought contest as the Bulldogs worked themselves out of a slow start during the first half.

Ralynn Hickman led Dove Creek (6-3) with 15 points, while Taylor Hampton added 11. For Ignacio (4-5), Marissa Olguin scored 11 points and Alyssa Atencio scored 10 points.

Dove Creek took control early with tight shooting and well-balanced scoring in the first quarter. Taylor Hampton led the charge with four points, followed by Ralynn Hickman with three, and contributions from Allex Williams, Ambryn Huffaker, and Jessica Alexander, who each added two points to close the quarter 14-0.

Ignacio adjusted in the second quarter, improving their shooting and countering Dove Creek's offensive strategy. Marissa Olguin sank two 3-pointers, while Delaney Wesner added four points and Alyssa Atencio and Victoria Brown each contributed two. These efforts helped the Bobcats cut the lead to just four, with Dove Creek holding an 18-14 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, both teams became more aggressive, but Dove Creek maintained a 29-20 advantage.

The intensity increased in the fourth, as Ignacio made a strong push and closed the gap to 32-29 with three minutes remaining and outscored the Bulldogs, 11-6. However, Dove Creek held off the rally to secure the 35-31 victory.

Ignacio will travel to Sargent on Tuesday before beginning a series of league games. They will host Pagosa on Saturday, followed by Bayfield on Jan. 23 and Centauri on Jan. 24. Ignacio will host Montezuma-Cortez on Jan. 28 before traveling to Alamosa on Jan. 31.

Dove Creek will begin league play with a trip to Mancos on Tuesday, followed by a home game against Ridgway on Saturday. They will then travel to Monticello on Jan. 21 and Dolores on Jan. 25. They will host Nucla on Jan. 28.