Basketball Recap: Trace Hartsoe's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Montezuma-Cortez over Centauri

Montezuma-Cortez entered their contest against Centauri on Friday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. The Montezuma-Cortez Panthers took a 65-51 bruising from the Centauri Falcons. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Falcons this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 58-41 back in January.

Montezuma-Cortez lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Trace Hartsoe, who went 7-for-10 to rack up 15 points. That's the most points he has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Tay Wheat, who put up 16 points.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Centauri to victory, but perhaps none more so than Carson Bagwell, who went 10-for-14 on his way to 21 points and five boards. Troy Sowards was another key player, going 7-for-14 en route to 14 points.

Montezuma-Cortez suffered their first home loss, dropping their record down to 13-5. As for Centauri, the victory keeps them at an undefeated 17-0.

Montezuma-Cortez has already played their next matchup, a 69-48 win against Alamosa on the 8th. As for Centauri, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 66-50 victory against Bayfield on the 8th.