Parra puts up 29, Tigers stay unbeaten

Del Norte junior Kendra Parra (24) scans the court for her teammates during Del Norte's victory over Sangre de Cristo Saturday night. Parra fed her scoring average with 29 points in the win.

DEL NORTE — Saturday’s basketball game in Del Norte featured a meeting between two of the higher ranked teams in their respective classifications. Del Norte’s girls took control and dispatched Sangre de Cristo by a score of 69-50.

Come Monday afternoon Del Norte (7-0) was ranked number one in 2A basketball according to CHSAA’s unofficial RPI rankings. In the 1A class Sangre de Cristo (5-1) occupied the No. 8 spot on Monday afternoon.  Both teams also brought an undefeated record to the table Saturday night.

When action got underway Del Norte asserted themselves from the beginning. Fifteen first quarter points from Del Norte junior Kendra Parra helped the Tigers claim a 23-10 lead entering the second frame. Parra is ranked No. 3 in the state in scoring with 25.4 points per game.

The Tigers registered another 17 points in the second quarter seven of which came from Del Norte senior Lacie Jones. Del Norte would go to the half with a commanding 40-19 lead. Jones’ name is also listed among the state’s best, with 12.6 rebounds per game the Del Norte senior is fourteenth in the state.

Sangre de Cristo would come back from the half looking a little more like themselves. A three-pointer from Alyssa Mortensen and four points from Jessica Slane and the Thunderbirds totaled 15 third quarter points. In the final frame the lead was nigh insurmountable but that didn’t stop Sangre de Cristo from having their most productive quarter of the game. The fourth quarter was the only quarter where the T-Birds out-scored the host Tigers, 16-11.

Parra held the scoring title for the Tigers Saturday night totaling 29 points in the win. For Sangre de Cristo it was sophomore Kylee Christensen with 13 points.

The Tigers will take some time off for the holidays. Del Norte will start the New Year with a league opponent on the road against Crested Butte (0-6).  It's back to work for the Thunderbirds. Sangre de Cristo will play their second game in the league schedule this Thursday when they head to Creede to face the Miners, tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.