Montezuma-Cortez’s Kyndall Schmitt tries to steal the ball from Bayfield’s Angelina Guzman‑Griego during Intermountain League play Saturday at BHS Gymnasium. (Joel Priest/Special to The Journal)
Panthers win by 45 on the road
Ignited by senior Kiera Hayes’ first two three‑pointers and one by sophomore Kyndall Schmitt, the Montezuma‑Cortez Panthers led 17‑4 after the first quarter in Bayfield and were never threatened Saturday in a 55‑10 win.
Freshman reserve Aubrey Taviera helped seal the win with two threes and all her 10 points in the fourth quarter, which began with visiting M‑CHS in control, 38‑10. Hayes also finished with 10 points as coach M.E. Haley’s squad bounced back from a 41‑33 loss the previous night at Monte Vista.
Montezuma-Cortez coach M.E. Haley was all smiles Saturday as the Panthers won their league game at Bayfield. (Joel Priest/Special to The Journal)
Montezuma‑Cortez (6‑9, 2‑4 Intermountain League) led 20‑8 at halftime, then pulled away in the third quarter behind junior forward Shoshawna Washburn’s four two‑pointers and all her nine points. Sophomore Mia Glazner added a three‑pointer in the third and totaled eight.
Senior Siana Elliott scored six before halftime, Schmitt added five and junior Abigale Baker scored four. Senior guard Sariah Jackson added a late basket, and freshman Raya Hall went 1‑for‑6 at the line.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will travel to La Jara on Feb. 6 for a 5:30 p.m. game at Centauri (12‑3, 6‑0), with the Falcons on a seven‑game winning streak that began Jan. 16 with a 14‑point win at M‑CHS. Montezuma‑Cortez will then play at Alamosa the following afternoon.
Results from a trip to Mancos (4‑8, 2‑4 San Juan Basin League) on Feb. 3 were unavailable at press time.
