After tough Intermountain League matchups against Pagosa Springs and Bayfield to begin the New Year, things are unlikely to get easier for the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls basketball team this weekend.
Alamosa upperclassmen present tough challengeThe Lady Panthers will open a difficult two-game slate at home on Jan. 18 when Alamosa, 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Intermountain League, comes to town. For M-CHS to remain competitive, players will need to stop junior guard Lilly Lavier, who averages 12 points, 5.3 steals and 4.7 rebounds per game this season.
Also figuring to create difficulties for the Lady Panthers will be 5-foot-10 senior Silvie Caton, who averages 10.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Alamosa defeated M-CHS by scores of 33-15 and 33-19 last season.
Where the Lady Panthers could find an advantage is inside the paint with Paige Yarbrough, who likely will be the most skilled post player on the floor. The 6-foot sophomore has 8.3 points per game this season, and if she can consistently attack the basket, M-CHS’ offense could enjoy some success.
While the Lady Panthers will enter their contest against Alamosa as underdogs, fans should expect a competitive and entertaining game that features a single-digit spread throughout the first half. If M-CHS can keep it close in the second half, the Lady Panthers may be able upset a team they haven’t beaten since joining the Intermountain League prior to the 2014-15 season.
Centauri presents high-pressure challenge The Lady Panthers’ second home game is against Centauri High School on Jan. 19, and M-CHS can expect anticipate full-court pressure.
Long regarded as one of the fastest-paced teams in the Intermountain League, Centauri comes with a 9-2 record overall and a 1-1 record in the Intermountain League. Most recently, the Falcons lost 58-40 to Pagosa Springs.
Among the leaders for Centauri is 5-foot-10 senior Melissa Wilson, who averages 14.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game this season. Sophomore Brenna McDaniel averages 9.1 points and 3.3 steals per game.
Given that Centauri is likely to push the pace, M-CHS would benefit from a strong shooting performance from junior Myra Simmons, who averages a team-best 11.0 points per game.
If Simmons knocks down a handful of jump shots and the Lady Panthers limit their turnovers, the game could be close. But given Centauri’s talent, the game is likely to end with a double-digit spread favoring the Falcons.
