CENTER – The second-ranked Sanford High School boys basketball team took over sole possession of the Southern Peaks League with a 54-37 win over Center Thursday at the CHS gym.

Ben Faucette started the Sanford scoring with a 3-point basket, followed by baskets by Trason Gartrell, Cahl Larsen and Travis Canty. Larsen made another layup, and Gartrell made a three for a 14-0 lead.

Colter Canty split at the free throw line, and Joshua Fairhurst scored in the paint for a 17-0 Sanford lead at the end of the first quarter.

Anjel Palma finally put the Vikings on the board early in the second, but Ben Faucette knocked down a jumper.

Palma and Cristian Badachi both scored, but Fairhurst and Jared McCarroll both scored to extend the Mustangs’ lead to 23-6.

Jaiden Martinez made three free throws to bring Center within 23-9 at halftime.

Francisco Casares and Palma both scored early in the second half, but Ben Faucette made a three and a layup.

Badachi split at the line, but Travis Canty made two free tosses. Yanixan Padilla and Palma both scored, but J.D. Faucette scored in the paint.

Ivan Guaderrama made a layup and a free throw, but Gartrell hit a jumper. Padilla made two charity tosses, but J.D. Faucette drove for a layup to give Sanford a 36-23 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Badachi opened the fourth quarter with a three, but Gartrell made a layup. Padilla also made a layup, but Travis Canty made two free throws.

Colter Canty buried a trey and Larsen split at the line. Martinez made a layup and Ruben Rendon a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 44-33.

McCarroll made a 3-pointer and Gartrell two free throws. Travis Canty and Fairhurst both scored to give the Mustangs their largest lead at 53-33.

Padilla made two free throws and Palma a layup. Fairhurst made one of two free throws to conclude the scoring.

Garteell led Sanford with 11 points, followed by Ben Faucette with 10. Palma was Center’s top scorer with 10.

Sanford (17-1, 4-0) hosted Del Norte on Friday. It will end the regular season by hosting Pagosa Springs on Feb. 20.

Center (12-6, 4-1) will host Sierra Grande today, Hoehne on Tuesday and Mancos on Feb. 21 to end the regular season.

Sanford 54, Center 37

Sanford – B. Faucette 4 0-0 10, Gartrell 4 2-2 11, C. Canty 1 1-2 4, T. Canty 2 4-4 6, Larsen 2 1-2 5, Fairhurst 3 1-2 7, Mortensen 0 0-0 0, J. Faucette 2 0-0 4, McCarroll 2 0-0 5. Total 20 9-12 54.

3-point goals – B. Faucette 2, C. Canty 1, Gartrell 1, McCarroll 1. Total 5.

Center – Padilla 2 4-4 8, Casares 1 0-0 2, Palma 5 0-0 10, Guaderrama 1 1-1 3, Martinez 1 3-3 5, Casanova 0 0-0 0, Mendoza 0 0-0 0, Ramirez 0 0-0 0, Rendon 1 0-0 3, Badachi 2 1-2 6. Total 13 9-10 37.

3-point goals – Badachi 1, Rendon 1. Total 2.

Sanford 17 6 13 18 – 54

Center 0 9 14 14 – 37

Fouls – Sanford 14, Center 14.