After losing to Pagosa Springs (8-10 overall, 4-6 in Intermountain League) earlier this season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys’ basketball team (7-11 overall, 4-5 in Intermountain League) showcased its vast improvement during a 45-31 home victory over the Pirates on Feb. 10.
Among the keys to the Panthers’ victory was solid play on the defensive end, which resulted in Pagosa Springs scoring only 11 first-half points.
M-CHS led 8-4 at the end of the first quarter and 23-11 at halftime. Although the Pirates outscored the Panthers 13-7 in the third quarter to cut the Panthers’ lead to six points entering the final eight minutes, M-CHS regained its composure and cruised to victory.
Junior guard Jasen Engle scored 13 points to lead M-CHS and junior guard Daniel Fernandez contributed 10. Eight Panthers players scored overall.
On the girls’ side, M-CHS (1-17 overall, 0-9 in Intermountain league) was blown out by Pagosa Springs (14-3 overall, 8-2 in Intermountain League), 50-14.
Both the M-CHS boys’ team and the M-CHS girls’ team will play their final game of the regular season on the road against Bayfield on Feb. 14.