T-Birds claim Thunderbird Shootout

Photo courtesy of Vibrant Valley Photography Abraham Echauri (15) of Center puts up a contested shot during the Vikings game against Cheraw.

Lady Vikings take third place

MOSCA— Entering the season Sangre de Cristo basketball was highly ranked according to the CHSAA preseason polls, and both teams did not disappoint. Both the Thunderbird boys and girls claimed championships in their respective title games.
Sangre de Cristo’s girls picked up two lopsided wins over Dove Creek and Creede to face Cheraw in the championship game. There the Sangre girls made short work of the visitors stamping out the Wolverines in a 49-29 game to claim the title. After the weekend the Lady Thunderbirds hold the fourth overall spot in the unofficial CHSAA RPI Rankings. Kylee Christensen finished with 12 points to lead the T-Birds in the title game.
Sangre de Cristo’s boys followed a similar path with double-digit wins over Dove Creek and Creede before their meeting with Cheraw. In the Championship game Sangre de Cristo downed Cheraw in a 49-34 game. The Thunderbirds are currently No. 3 in the RPI rankings. Sangre de Cristo will play host to Sargent on Dec. 7. The Farmers come fresh off 3A competition at the Mountain Top classic.
Two Valley teams faced off in the third place games down both sides of the gender line. Both tournaments played out the same way. Creede defeated Custer County prior to falling to Sangre de Cristo while Center downed Centennial before falling to Cheraw. The Center girls placed third Saturday afternoon with a big 66-44 win over Creede. Sophomore Isabella Philbern picked up 25 points in the game to propel the Vikings to victory. Creede was led by Reese Wilson, who scored 10 points.
 For the boys it was Creede that claimed third place in a 63-58 affair. Junior Marcos Romero led the Miners with 27 points in the win.
Creede and Center will stay on the road this week. Center’s girls will travel west and meet with John Mall on Dec. 8. Creede will go to Plateau Valley for both girls and boys on Dec. 7 and then will continue on for game five of their seven game road tour where they’ll face De Beque on Dec. 8.  
Girls:
First Place
Sangre de Cristo    49
Cheraw         29

Third Place
Center         66
Creede        44

Boys:
First Place
Sangre de Cristo     49
Cheraw                   34

Third Place
Creede        63
Center             58