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Santa Fe Indian School girls romp at East Mountain, 70-13, in 5-4A and then make a television appearance
It figured on being a close game, and it was just that, for it took a pair of overtimes before visiting Taos turned back St. Michael’s, 71-65, Friday night in District 2-4A play.
For the Tigers, it was the district opener while the Horsemen’s district record became 1-1 after opening with a win at Las Vegas Robertson Tuesday night.
It took a 3-point shot by Taos 5-foot-11 point guard Quinn Moon seconds before the first half buzzer. What looked like a St. Michael’s victory became a tie, and off they went into another 4-minute OT.
It was a 3 banked in by Moon at the top of the key with the final seconds ticking away. It set off a Tigers’ celebration that continued into the second overtime when 6-2 senior post Allen Martinez took over to score five of his team-high 18 points to lead four teammates in double figures.
Taos gained the lead quickly in the second OT via a 3-point play from Martinez that put the score at 64-61. An offseason transfer from Questa, along with 6-foot junior wing Justin Madrid, Martinez gave the home team a tough time keeping him away from the glass as he brought down 13 rebounds.
New head coach in Nando Chavez, new players in Martinez and Madrid, and a new system, have the Tigers at 11-9 overall and 2-0 in district.
For the Horsemen who dropped to 7-12 overall and 1-1 in district following Tuesday night’s win at Las Vegas Robertson, junior guard Jevon Montoya led the way with a team-high 19 points. He converted a pair of clutch free throws in the first overtime and 6-foot junior Dominic Morgan tossed in five of his nine points in the second overtime.
Senior Antonio Gabaldon and junior Victor Otero added 10 points each for St. Michael’s, but both were held scoreless after three quarters.
While they were ice-cold by missing 13 of their first 16 shots, the Horsemen warmed up by taking a 25-24 lead at halftime and upped it to 40-32 late in the third quarter.
In the final minute of regulation, the Tigers tied it on a baseline jumper from Derek Chacon, and then came Moon with his bucket.
Last season was a disappointment for Taos, a 1-26 overall record, 1-7 in district and a forfeiture of eights games, as well as losing four close games down the stretch.
In girl’s play, Santa Fe Indian School was in the spotlight Friday. Its District 5-4A contest at East Mountain ended in a 70-13 rout, but because the junior varsity game was cancelled, the varsity game was moved from its 6:30 p.m. start to 5:15, but had no affect on the final score as the Braves led 17-3 after one quarter, and 42-12 at halftime.
This put them at 14-4 overall and 2-0 in district, while East Mountain dropped to 3-14 and 0-1.
From the victory came an appearance later that night on KOB-TV’s GameDay weekly prep shot. The Braves opened the program with huge cheers and head coach Christie Abeyta was interviewed. It was a good day for the program favored to win district.
In a non district boy’s contest, Espanola Valley, No. 1 in 5A, routed Pojoaque Valley, 79-46, at the Elks’ court. It brought the Sundevils to 17-1 overall and a date with district rival Capital High Tuesday night. As these teams are accustomed to, it will probably be the two district clashes, the district tournament, and the state tournament where they will meet up.
At West Las Vegas, the cross-town rivalry with Robertson became a 70-52 win for the Dons even after the Cardinals held a 33-24 lead. It was the district opener for WLV and it advanced to 10-9 overall and 1-0 in district. The Cards are now 5-14 overall and 0-2 in district.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Dons held a 56-42 lead. John Balizan, a 6-2 sophomore post, paved the way with 11 of his game-high 17 points coming in the fourth quarter. Teammate Diego Gonzalez, a 6-2 junior forward, tossed in nine of his 16 points also in the final eight minutes. Antonio Padilla turned in 15 points for the Cardinals.
In other games, the boys had Bernalillo winning 66-49, in 5-4A at East Mountain, Indian School was edged 42-21, in a non district contest at Los Alamos, the Hilltoppers lost 78-76 to Roswell Goddard, and in 1-6A, Rio Rancho High gained a 85-83 victory over neighbor Cleveland High and undefeated Las Cruces is now 18-0 after claiming a 85-60 triumph over Onate in 3-6A.
In girl’s play, Portales turned back Moriarty, 47-30, in 4-4A to end the Pintos’ unbeaten streak at 17 and put the Rams at 18-2 in the district opener. Portales had lost to Robertson and Stafford, Tex., but are now on a 9-game win streak.
And in 1-6A, Albuquerque Cibola won over Albuquerque Volcano Vista, 49-40.
