Centauri picks up number ten on the road

Centauri’s Brynli Sowards (32) drives the lane while Monte Vista’s Adelia Romero (25) defends. Sowards picked up 6 points in the win on Friday. (VC/Jiron)

MONTE VISTA — The first league game of the year for both girls basketball teams went to Centauri over Monte Vista by a score of 69-22.

Centauri (10-0, 1-0 IML) Has been on a tear to start the season ripping off ten in a row since the beginning of the winter sports season, picking up wins at their home tournament and the La Junta Holiday Shootout. The solid win streak has Centauri sitting at No. 3 in 3A according to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Coaches Poll.

Monte Vista (2-6, 0-1 IML) entered Friday’s game amid a frustrating 2 game skid. Dec. 17th the Pirates dropped a 2-point game to the Buena Vista Demons on the road. Then at home on Tuesday night they watched a late lead evaporate as time expired relenting a one-point game to the visiting Center Vikings.

When the action got underway on Friday both teams struggled to get points, the Falcons found their range first. Centauri’s Brenna McDaniel and Mia Garcia would combine for 5 points to put the Falcons ahead. Monte Vista’s Mareh Medina and Haley Bernal would combine for 4 points for the Pirates to answer back, cutting the visitor’s advantage to 7-4 early in the first. The small lead quickly grew as Centauri began scoring in earnest, an eight-point run from Centauri was only stopped by a trey from Monte Vista’s Adelia Romero bringing the first quarter to a close with the Falcons leading 18-7.

The second quarter was host to another eight-point run from the visitors. By the break, Centauri held a 33-11 advantage. The 22-point lead grew as the game continued, eventually prompting the fourth quarter to begin with a running clock, as the Falcons held a 55-17 lead to start the final frame.

Brenna McDaniel paced Centauri with 17 points in the win. McDaniel banked a 3-pointer in each of the first three quarters to total 3 buckets from beyond 22 feet in the game. Monte Vista’s lead in scoring went to Haley Bernal who collected 7 points on Friday. The win makes it ten in a row for Centauri.

The Falcons will take a full head of steam with them into a tough road contest. The Falcons will be tested against last year’s Intermountain League Champion, Pagosa Springs (7-2, 1-0 IML). Centauri – Pagosa Springs is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start on Saturday.

Things don’t get any easier for Monte Vista as they also go on the road to meet last year’s IML runners-up, Alamosa (8-1) on Saturday.