Who returns to the playoffs?

The next and last game inside The Pit tonight! Winner will face Las Cruces in the Final Four

6A Basketball - The PIT (WisePies Arena)

#1 Onate vs #8 Atrisco Heritage Academy, 1:15pm

#2 Las Cruces vs #7 Hobbs, 4:45pm

#3 Cleveland vs #6 Cibola, 8:15pm

#4 Eldorado vs #12 Volcano Vista, 9:45am

5A Basketball - The PIT (WisePies Arena)

#1 Roswell vs #9 Kirtland Central, 11:30am

#2 Capital 48, #7 Alamogordo 45 - FINAL

#3 Farmington vs #6 Los Lunas, 3pm

#4 Belen vs #13 Del Norte, 6:30pm

4A Basketball - Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho)

#1 Hope Christian vs #8 Bernalillo, 1:15pm

#2 Portales vs #7 St. Michael's, 4:45pm

#3 Silver vs #11 Moriarty, 9:45am

#4 Robertson vs #5 West Las Vegas, 8:15pm

3A Basketball - Rio Rancho and Cleveland High School

#1 Pecos vs #8 Eunice, 7pm (at Rio Rancho HS)

#2 Texico vs #7 Estancia, 5pm (at Cleveland HS)

#3 Santa Rosa vs #11 Clayton, 7pm (at Cleveland HS)

#4 Dulce vs #5 Cuba, 5pm (at Rio Rancho HS)

2A Basketball - Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho)

#1 Magdalena vs #8 Escalante, 3pm

#2 Lordsburg vs #7 Jal, 11:30am

#3 Mora vs #6 Menaul, 6:30pm

#5 Mesilla Valley Christian 56, Fort Sumner 53 - FINAL

1A Basketball - Bernalillo High School

#1 Quemado vs #9 San Jon, 1:15pm

#2 Maxwell vs #10 Floyd, 9:45am

#3 Melrose vs #6 Vaughn, 8:15pm

#4 Hondo Valley vs #5 Springer, 4:45pm

SCORE: Robertson 66 West Las Vegas 54

RECAP
What started out a battle of nerves, quickly morphed into a highly contested battle of matchups and in the end, Robertson came out on top.
The Cardinals duo of Kasean Pryor and Arjay Ortiz came through with stellar plays and points at the line. Pryor led the Cardinals with 21 points going 14 for 18 from the free throw line. Ortiz tallied 16 points on 7 of 12 shooting from the field. Both gathered 7 rebounds with Ortiz also adding 4 assists and 3 steals.
Maybe the coldest game of DJ Bustos' career in which he didn't score a field goal until the final two minutes of the game. Bustos was able to get to the line and get points there but it wasn't enough as he went 2 of 13 from the field and only got to the free throw line four times.
A rather disappointing end to a stellar career. But with that ending comes the rise of two talents from Robertson who will move on to face #1 Hope Christian Friday morning.

STATS

Robertson
Kasean Pryor - 21 points (3 of 11 from the field/14 of 18 from the line) and 7 rebounds
Arjay Ortiz - 16 points
Noah Leger - 11 points
Team: 47.4% from the field, 50% from 3pt range, and 26 of 34 from the FT line

West Las Vegas
Isaiha Gallegos - 21 points on 7 of 15 shooting
DJ Bustos - 9 points (2 of 13 including 1 for 7 from distance)
Moses Esquibel - 9 points (4 of 8 shooting)
Team: 34% from the field, 18.2 % from 3pt range, and 16 of 20 from the FT line.

5A: #4 Belen vs #13 Del Norte

3:00 until the tip

Next game up here in The Pit

SCORE: Mora 66 Menaul 56

RECAP
This was a rematch of last year's 2A quarterfinals and the result was the same. Mora with their frenetic pace and motion offense kept Menaul on it's heels for the better part of the game. But Menaul's 6'9" Michael Ou was a matchup problem for the Rangers and the center recorded 26 points on 10 of 12 shooting (3 dunks to add) and 6 of 7 from the FT line. Mora wouldn't waiver though and knew they couldn't attack the Menaul defense anchored by Ou. Instead, Mora found opportunities off turnovers and spread the floor open to move Ou away from the basket. Mora's 22 point 3rd Quarter helped the Rangers find separation from the Panthers. Despite allowing Menaul to score 22 points in the fourth, Mora's 42 point 2nd half (24 in the 1st half) gave them the cushion they needed to pull off yet another quarterfinal win against a tough Menaul team.

STATS

Mora
Travis Romero - 16 points on 5 of 9 shooting.
Santiago Laumbach - 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting and 9 rebounds.
Ryan Duran - 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Team: 40.4% from the field; 21.4% from the arc; 17 of 27 from the FT line.

Menaul
Michael Ou - 26 points on 10 of 12 shooting and 6 of 7 from the line. Also tallied 14 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Danny Serrano - 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting.
Samy Porragas - 5 points
Team: 50% from the field; 4 of 11 from beyond the arc (36%); 12 of 14 from the FT line.

NEXT UP
#3 Mora will face #2 Lordsburg in 2A semifinal action at 6:30pm on Thursday.

SCORE: Portales 49 St. Michael's 47

RECAP
Two years ago Portales upset St. Michael's in the quarterfinals, but this time it was St. Michael's providing the scare for the #2 Rams. Early on, Portales jumped out to a 8-4 lead but the Horseman found opportunities against the Rams defense. By the break, Portales had taken a four point lead and looked to continue more of the same in the 2nd half. St. Michael's though dictated the pace in the 3rd well and outscored the Rams 8-2 to take a short lead.
In the final quarter, St. Michael's found themselves trailing late and some heroics by Montoya and Pacheco helped tie the game with 3.7 seconds left. But a Horseman foul was called before the ball could be inbounded and Portales went to the line to shoot the 1&1. Portales' Karngbaye made both and a desperation heave by Montoya was off at the buzzer.

STATS

Portales
Jeremie Karngbaye - 20 points & 7 rebounds
Braden Bridges - 11 points
Junior Ramirez - 9 points (3 of 5 from distance)
Team: 48.6% from the field; 6 of 13 from the 3-point line; 82% from the FT line

St. Michael's
Thomas Pacheco - 11 points on 3 of 11 shooting (3 of 4 from the FT line)
Antonio Gabaldon - 10 points (4 of 7 from the field)
Adam Tupler - 9 points and 6 rebounds
Team: 45.7% from the field; 6 of 16 from the 3-point line; 75% from the FT line

NEXT UP
#2 Portales will do battle with #3 Silver, Friday morning.

Coming Up Next

All 6A through 2A quarterfinals will be played on Tuesday, March 7th. 1A girls basketball quarterfinal action will begin on Wednesday, March 8th at Bernalillo High School.


6A BASKETBALL (Santa Ana Star Center)

9:45 AM - #6 Eldorado def. #3 West Mesa, 53-49

1:15 PM - #5 La Cueva def. #4 Las Cruces, 57-49

4:45 PM - #7 Sandia def. #2 Carlsbad, 28-26

8:15 PM - #1 Hobbs def. #9 Volcano Vista, 78-61


5A BASKETBALL (WiesPies Arena aka The Pit)

9:45 AM - #5 Goddard def. #4 Albuquerque Academy, 30-24

1:15 PM - #1 Roswell def. #9 Lovington, 64-39

4:45 PM - #2 Los Lunas def. #7 Kirtland Central, 60-36

8:15 PM - #3 Espanola Valley def. #11 Gallup, 48-41


4A BASKETBALL (WiesPies Arena aka The Pit)

8:00 AM - #1 Hope Christian def. #8 Sandia Prep, 71-27

11:30 AM - #4 Portales def. #5 Moriarty, 35-31

3:00 PM - #2 Shiprock def. #10 Navajo Prep, 65-52

6:30 PM - #3 Robertson def. #6 West Las Vegas, 57-52


3A BASKETBALL (Santa Ana Star Center)

8:00 AM - #3 Tohatchi def. #6 Tucumcari, 84-47

11:30 AM - #2 Texico def. #10 Loving, 54-39

3:00 PM - #1 Eunice def. #9 Dulce, 58-24

6:30 PM - #5 Laguna-Acoma def. #4 Tularosa, 44-41


2A BASKETBALL (Bernalillo High School)

3:00 PM - #5 Fort Sumner/House def. #4 Mescalero Apache, 54-52

4:45 PM - #1 Tatum def. #9 Mora, 60-28

6:30 PM - #6 Escalante def. #3 Lordsburg, 55-35

8:15 PM - #2 Logan def. #7 Navajo Pine, 59-36


1A BASKETBALL (Resumes WEDNESDAY, March 8th at Bernalillo High School)

8:00 AM - #4 Hondo Valley def. #5 Animas, 39-33 (OT)

11:30 AM - #3 Roy/Mosquero def. #6 Coronado, 65-56

3:00 PM - #2 Melrose def. #7 Walatowa Charter, 71-46

6:30 PM - #1 Elida def. #8 Grady, 50-23

SCORE: Magdalena 57 Escalante 42

RECAP
The Escalante Lobos were looking for the upset as they found success against Magdalena early in the game. The Lobos led for just over 5 minutes in that early period, but Magdalena would find some offense from their workhose Anthony Pino. The senior posted a team best 17 points and 9 rebounds 6 of which were offensive boards. Escalante would rally late though despite falling behind by 10 in the 3rd Quarter. Led by Cody Russom, the Lobos would cut a 10 point Steers lead to 5 late. But the tale of the 2nd half was free throws as Magdalena made 27 trips total in the 2nd half alone versus Escalante's four free throw attempts. The Steers' Jorrell Mirabal would also help seal the win when he scored 5 straight points to put the lead back up to 10 for the Steers. The older Mirabal would finish with 13 points despite shooting a dismal 5 for 13 from the free throw line.

STATS

Magdalena
Anthony Pino - 17 points (11 of 12 from the FT line) and 9 rebounds
Jorrell Mirabal - 13 points
Richie Chavez - 12 points (9 of 10 from the FT line) and 6 rebounds

Team: 31.7% from the field; 33.% from distance; 27 of 37 from the FT line

Escalante
Cody Russom - 20 points on 6 of 13 shooting.
Aaron Rendon - 7 points
Waylon Hinds - 6 points

Team: 41.7% from the field; 26.7% from distance; 8 of 12 from the FT line

Pre game intros in 10 minutes

FINAL: Roswell 81, Kirtland Central 80

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Recap: When the time came Roswell's top two players in Garrett Smothermon and Chris Mesquita stepped up guiding the Coyotes to an 81-80 win in overtime.

Chris Mesquita had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists including three big threes to end the game. Garrett Smothermon who was consistent throughout the game finished with a team-high 25 points along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

The Coyotes will move into the Final Four to face the winner of #4 Belen and #13 Del Norte.

Bryson Dowdy and Eric Foultz paced the way for Kirtland Central. Dowdy had 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Foultz would finish with 22 points and 5 rebounds.

STATS
Chris Mesquita - Roswell - 22 points, 15 rebounds.
Garrett Smothermon - Roswell 25 points, 4 rebounds.
Bryson Dowdy - KC - 23 points, 9 rebounds.
Eric Foultz - KC - 22 points, 5 rebounds.

6A Boys #4 Eldorado vs. #12 Volcano Vista

CAPITAL 48, ALAMOGORDO 45

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Recap: Momentum and tempo shifts for the early game tip-off between the 2-seed Capital Jaguars and 7-seed Alamogordo Tigers.

The Tigers led most of the way, including the entire second half until the final minutes. Alamogordo's Dee Smith led the way for the Tigers with 20 points. The Tigers penetrated well and attacked the rim in the first half along with buckets in transition.

Capital kept it close throughout the contest even during the Alamogordo spurts. Capital struggled from the field and the line on the day but found a big time three from Matt Smith. The Jaguars who were shooting under 20 % on the day used a Matt Smith NBA range three to win the game.

STATS
Dee Smith - Alamogordo - 20 points
Chamar Norman - Alamogordo - 12 points.

Aaron Garcia - Capital - 10 points, 2 rebounds.
Jeremy Anaya - Capital - 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists.

Bigger First Round Win?

Any feedback on the games today?

SCORE: Espanola Valley 48 Gallup 41

RECAP
A bit of history before we begin: Gallup has eliminated Espanola Valley each of the past three seasons. Tonight, Espanola made their way again to the semifinals with a memorable win over a gritty and tough Gallup squad. Led by Sara Ann Shirley's scoring and Kalisha Kinsel's playmaking on the defensive end, Gallup was able to match blow for blow with Espanola Valley up until the final minute.
The hero of tonight was definitely Alexis Lovato, who was able to make the best of anything she was able to grab in the paint. Lovato dominated on the inside and even made key defensive steals and rebounds to help keep Espanola ahead of the determined Gallup team.
It was a classic one that I'm sure many Espanola Valley fans will remember and Gallup fans will want to forget.

STATS

Espanola Valley was led by Alexis Lovato's 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Gallup was led by Sara Ann Shirley's 21 points and 9 rebounds


NEXT UP
#11 Gallup finishes up their season 14-15

#3 Espanola Valley will face #2 Los Lunas on Thursday at 1:15PM

SCORE: Robertson 57 West Las Vegas 52

RECAP
In classic East-West fashion, this ol' slugfest came down to the final minutes to be determined. Robertson held the height advantage early and used some quick transition points thanks in part to Aliazna Darley. West would not be put away quietly though as Jenika Padilla helped the Lady Dons rally from a double-digit deficit to get back within 4 at the start of the fourth. Some key baskets and steals by Robertson kept the Cardinal lead intact, but West would take the lead in the 4th.
West had the looks on the offensive end but eventually could not top the defensive plays made by Darley and company.

STATS
Robertson's Alianza Darley led all scorers with 22 points on 9 of 25 shooting. She also had 11 rebounds.
Angelica Montoya added 10 points and 7 rebounds

Gallup's Annalysse Lucero led with 17 points on 3 of 11 shooting (11 of 12 from the FT line)
Jenika Padilla added 13 on 5 of 14 shooting.

West finished with 23% shooting from the field.
Robertson finished with 32% shooting from the field.

NEXT UP
#6 West Las Vegas finishes their season 21-9.

#3 Robertson will move on to the 4A semifinals to face #2 Shiprock, Thursday at 11:30 AM

Football players are a passionate group, but at what point does a coach need take action to minimize fighting in practice?

Stories?

SCORE: Los Lunas 60 Kirtland Central 36

RECAP
Los Lunas has been on a tear since their January outing at the Hope Christian Invite. Today Los Lunas tallied their 13th straight win against a young Kirtland Central team that could never find any rhythm on the offensive end and were just outmatched on the defensive side.
From the get-go it was apparent that Los Lunas had the size and strength to bully around a smaller Kirtland lineup. Poor shooting and turnovers fed the Los Lunas machine until the Lady Tigers held a comfortable 37-9 lead at the half.
KC came out with a better defensive effort in the 2nd half but still couldn't solve their own offensive struggles. A slow fourth quarter, filled with plenty of whistles settled the game down and ultimately both teams ended up emptying their benches for the final minutes of the game (although the whistles didn't stop). Los Lunas dominated from start to finish in a statement win the rest of the tournament field should take notice of.

STATS

Los Lunas
Led by Mica Jenrette with 10 points and 3 boards.
Ashley Blackwell followed with 9 points and 6 rebounds
Maya Trujillo also added 9 points

Los Lunas shot 38% from the field, and collected 45 rebounds.

Kirtland Central
KC was led by Talia Ockerman who finished with 10 points.
Haile Gleason followed with 7 points.
Shayonna Begay added 4 points.

KC shot 23% from the field and collected only 29 rebounds and committed 25 turnovers.

NEXT UP
#7 Kirtland Central finishes 14-11 on the season.

#2 Los Lunas advances to face the winner of #3 Espanola Valley and #11 Gallup on Thursday at 1:15PM

SCORE: Shiprock 65 Navajo Prep 52

RECAP
Slow starts have plagued Shiprock a few times this year and Navajo Prep looked hungry for an upset. Pesky Prep kept Shiprock from easing into the game and the Lady Chieftains had to turn it up on the defensive end to get easier looks at the basket. That was when Shiprock finished the 2nd Quarter on a 12-2 run.
The third was more Shiprock offense again as they managed to build a comfortable lead over their district opponent. Then in the fourth Prep rallied and was able to get back within 10 points. Navajo Prep had opportunities but the Shiprock shot-making and defense was too much to overcome late.


STATS
Shiprock
Melanie Secody led with 15 points on 6 of 14 shooting.
Tanisha Begay followed with a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds
Paige Dale added 8 points

Shiprock shot 43% from the field, 42% from 3-point range, and 9 of 11 from the FT line.

Navajo Prep
Martinique Larvingo led all scorers with 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting along with 8 rebounds.
Harlei Hacessa followed with 14 points and 6 rebounds
Sequoia Wilson added 7 points and 6 boards.

Navajo Prep shot 40% from the field, 2 of 14 from 3-point range, and 6 of 14 from the FT line.
Prep outscored Shiprock, 38-28 in the paint.

NEXT UP
#10 Navajo Prep finishes their season 16-11.

#2 Shiprock will move on to Thursday to face the winner of #3 Robertson and #6 West Las Vegas.

FINAL: Roswell 64 Lovington 39

RECAP
For the opening minutes it looked like Lovington had a real shot. Lovington found themselves able to stay within four points early. Then the storm that is Roswell occurred and Lovington couldn't recover.
Roswell exploded for 22 points in the 2nd Quarter, mostly off of transition buckets and trips to the free throw line. Lovington did get a number of looks and stops in the half court, but nothing much transpired from that. A woeful 3rd Quarter doomed Lovington as they didn't make a field goal until well under the two minute mark. Roswell didn't play perfect either, but points in transition (19) and the paint (32) are what sent the Lady Coyotes to the Final Four.


STATS

Roswell
Jaedyn De La Cerda finished with 20 points off 6 of 11 shooting including 2 of 3 from distance. She also tallied 4 boards and 6 assists.
Kaitlyn Holl followed with 14 points on 4 of 8 shooting and 5 boards.
Deavion Allen added 13 point on 6 of 8 shooting.

Roswell shot 46% from the floor, and 22 % from distance. They also made 18 of 34 from the FT line.

Lovington
Japeria Wright led with 9 points on 3 of 5 shooting.
Azaria Stewart followed with 7 points (all in the 2nd half) on 2 of 13 shooting.
Addy Jeter added 6 points on 1 of 3 shooting.

Lovington shot 24% from the floor and 1 of 5 for 20% from distance.
They also made 16 of 30 from the FT line for 53%

NEXT UP
#9 Lovington finishes their season 14-17.

#1 Roswell will move on to Thursday to play #5 Goddard (a district buddy of theirs and the only 5A team to defeat the Lady Coyotes). Game will tip at 9:45 AM