Photo by Bryan Oller
Bella Coscetti battles for a rebound during Manitou’s game against Buena Vista.
On the night the seniors were honored, they stepped up in a big way as the Manitou Springs girls basketball team defeated Buena Vista, 46-40, on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
This is the second league win in three games for the Mustangs, who looked a tad more disciplined on both sides of the ball. That allowed them to hang on and win a tough game, something that’s been difficult to do this season.
“It felt like a breakthrough,” coach Jessie Nunley said. “We’ve had goals set for the last couple weeks and to see it all put together, and on senior night with senior leadership, it won us the game.”
Abby Parker led all Manitou scorers with 12 points, nine of which came in the second half. Lexi Vigil scored nine and Ashlyn Thomson added seven.
Sophomore McKesson Rhodes had the best game of her young career as she scored 11. Six of them came in the fourth quarter and four of those were on clutch free throws that the Mustangs (8-9 overall, 4-7 Tri-Peaks) had to have to hang on for the win.
It was a significant win for the team in a lot of ways. It was the first home win for the Mustangs since Jan. 5 and just the second home win against a league opponent. And it came on a night when the four seniors, Parker, Vigil, Thomson and Bella Coscetti, got to thank their families as they were honored for their contributions to the program.
“This was really important to play for each other and to play our best game and get some momentum going into playoffs,” Parker said. “I hope (the underclassmen) know that if you play hard and give it your all for 32 (minutes), that good things will happen.”
The hope now is to give it their all for every remaining game this season. The Mustangs are at No. 26 in the Colorado High School Activities Association RPI, which determines the playoff field, but could use a few more wins to feel truly safe. Getting those wins are probable by following the blueprint they established on Tuesday.
“Our main focus in practice is discipline and execution,” Nunley said.
The Mustangs are back home in non-league action against The Classical Academy on Thursday, Feb. 10.