Miners take Thunderbird Shootout championship

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Southern Colorado’s basketball’s seasons are off to a roaring start. For the opening week Centauri, Sangre de Cristo and Alamosa all hosted tournaments while Center, Del Norte, Antonito, Sierra Grande, Creede and Sargent were in attendance.

Monte Vista took part in the Bennett Tournament. The girls met and defeated Lutheran by a score of 60-50 on Thursday.

In Mosca, Sangre de Cristo started the season with the Thunderbird Shootout. It featured Valley teams: Creede, Centennial, Sierra Grande and Antonito.

For the girls, the Thunderbirds defended home court against Ouray with a dominant 62-16 victory to advance to the next round. Creede’s 38-27 victory over Centennial moved them to the next round matching them up with Sangre de Cristo Friday night. The Lady Miners were defeated by the Thunderbirds 71-21 and lost again Saturday to Cheraw, 43-17.

The Antonito girls faced the host Thunderbirds to decide a champion. Sangre de Cristo edged the Trojans in a 46-45 game.

 Boys

With identical matchups the Creede boys also defeated Centennial for a second round game slated for Friday. While the Sierra Grande Panthers defeated Antonito by a score of 73-40 to advance.

The Creede Miners overcame a 23-point onslaught from Sierra Grande's Arthur Rodriguez on the Saturday to take the game 63-47 and become champions. The Miners were floated by the pair of Casper Freedle and Isaac Borchers who combined for 32 points.