Santa Fe Prep Girls Get to Play After Forfeiting their Basketball Opener

Santa Fe Prep girls get to play after forfeiting their basketball opener because of a lack of players, while Griffin boys defeated at Escalante

Santa Fe Indian School girls lose at West Las Vegas, Brave boys fall to Taos on the road

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

What is keeping Santa Fe Prep from attracting basketball players for its girl’s program?

Can’t be the wrestling team because it doesn’t have one. Could be swimming and diving, but that’s it. Volleyball is over.

Last season the Griffins were winless primarily because of a lack of numbers, interest and inexperience. Now Mark Rodriguez has taken over as head coach and running into the same programs.

The season opener at Questa resulted in a forfeit because of a lack of players. They now have seven, but that can be a program because of foul trouble and of course depth, which makes for a tired lineup.

It is Rodriguez’ first time as a head basketball coach, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his late father, Bobby, and brothers David and Ernie, who coach St. Michael’s and Desert Academy boys, respectively.

Prep did get to play its second game, losing 66-9 to Escalante, a team that routed it 83-0 last year. It’s a real challenge for Rodriguez, the youngest of his brothers, but he said he’s accepting it and will work to improve the play of his team.

At West Las Vegas, Santa Fe Indian School dropped a 53-36 contest in non district play. The Braves trailed from the start, 19-7 after one quarter and 26-15 at halftime. They never caught up and play next against Zuni at home today.

In Los Alamos, Albuquerque Volcano Vista visited and departed with a resounding 60-23 victory in the non district test, the second defeat in a row for the Hilltoppers after winning their first two starts. They had previous lost 60-27 to Pojoaque Valley.

Volcano Vista got away to a super start by taking a 20-6 lead after one quarter and increasing it to 38-8 at the half. Los Alamos’ next game is today at Belen, all being non district games.

In Espanola Valley, Carlsbad dominated the home team by the score of 42-9, this coming after Taos won 41-23 over the Sundevils in their previous non district contest.

In boys play, Santa Fe Prep visited Escalante and left with a 51-31 setback, its first in three starts. The Griffins had come off wins over Albuquerque Bosque School and Mesa Vista. They play next at home versus East Mountain.

Santa Fe Indian School took a 71-66 loss at Taos in a non district contest. The Tigers held a 38-29 lead at halftime. The Braves play next at home Dec. 5 against Robertson.