M.V. will face Olathe in Regional game

BAYFIELD—Led by the low-post duo of juniors Ember Canty and Caroline Van Berkum, the Centauri Lady Falcons, save for a slight defensive hiccup in the second quarter, were able to limit Monte Vista to 31 points in a 21-point victory Thursday evening in the Intermountain League District Tournament’s first semifinal game.
Cenaturi High School (19-1) raced out to a 12-2 lead after one quarter and led 23-12 at intermission, though three-pointers by Pirate Marisa Garcia and Sierra Guttierrez concerned head coach Dave Forster as the Lady Pirates’ long-range shooting had devastated Bayfield—the event’s hosting team—two nights before in the tourney’s play-in phase.
Approaching double-digits in blocks, Canty led the Lady Falcons with 12 points and Van Berkum fought for 11. Junior guards Kyree Huffaker and Alyssa Gomez (who fouled out with 4:55 left in the fourth quarter) each contributed seven as Centauri advanced to Saturday evening’s championship versus Pagosa Springs.
Senior Danielle Chacon, who fouled out with 2:43 remaining, led Monte Vista (12-9) with 10 points. Junior Mariah Barbosa was held to only one three-ball and five total points, the same managed by both Garcia and Guttierrez.

Monte Vista vs. Alamosa
Returning to the Bayfield Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon, MVHS faced Alamosa for third place. In a game not truly decided until the fourth quarter, senior Danielle Chacon paced the Lady Pirates with a game-high 28 points, most coming during Monte’s 25-point closing rush.  She also made all 11 of her free throws. Senior Brianna Villagomez also broke into double figures with her 13 points.
Alamosa’s senior Savana Geringer finished her final season with a bang, hitting three three-pointers and leading AHS (9-13) with 20 points in the defeat. Junior Tara Sowards again shone coming off the bench, netting 11 points.
For the regional tournament kicking off March 3, Monte Vista received the #17 seed and will face #16-seed Olathe (13-9) at Sterling High School. The winner will play the winner of #1-seed Sterling and #32-seed Venture Prep on Saturday, March 4.