Eighth seed Pecos gets a visit tonight from district opponent Tierra Encantada

Eighth seed Pecos gets a visit tonight from district opponent Tierra Encantada, the 9th seed that it has defeated all three times when the first round of the state basketball tournament bounces in Capital heads for Gallup, St. Michael’s to Shiprock, Santa Fe Indian School plays host to Socorro, Taos travels to Robertson, and the boys tip off Saturday

By Arnie Leshin 

David Sanchez says his Taos girl’s basketball knows the way to Robertson High in Las Vegas, and will make their way there as heavy underdogs in the opening round of the state basketball tournament tonight.

“What do you want us to do, forfeit,?” says the second-year head coach. “We made the state tournament and have nothing to do with the NMAA’s seeding, so mark down that we will be there.”

Judging by the two overwhelming Robertson victories over its District 2-4A opponent, it’s far-fetched to think about a Tiger win. Twice they met and the Cardinals won 57-12 at home and 72-13 on the road. They had the running clock running both times.

This is the second-straight impressive season put together by the Cards, and they also swept the Tigers last year. In their one season under Benny Mitchell, 2016, Taos turned in a 44-41 win at home against Robertson and then lost 43-41 in overtime at the Cardinals’ court.

“The thing about them,” says Sanchez, “is size, inside dominance, good outside shooting, and aggressive defense, so it’s tough for us to match up with them.”

Overall, the Tigers have posted a 7-19 overall mark, where as Robertson’s district champions are 24-3 overall, unbeaten in district, and the losses came against Moriarty, 63-51, at home, 53-42, on a visit from Portales, and dropped a 31-23 count at Texico. These are three good teams all ranked high in the seeding.
“It probably wouldn’t have made a difference,” Sanchez says, “but our top player, sophomore Asliyah Quintana, has only played three games after an early season injury. She might play tonight, but it’s not definite. Without her, we’re not a good shooting team, and nobody can handle the ball like her.”

All five schools in 2-4A have made it into the state tourney.

Defending state 4A champion Albuquerque Hope Christian nearly missed the tournament when its seeding at midseason was out of the top 16. But it got in as the 8th seed at 13-15 and was fortunate to get home court against 9th seeded West Las Vegas (15-10). This was decided on strength of schedule.

Top-seeded in 4A, Portales (24-2) should have no problem against visiting 16th seed Albuquerque Bosque School (14-14). Same with 5th seeded Silver (23-4) at home versus 12th seeded Navajo Prep (12-13).

Moriarty, the 3rd seed at 24-4, and is playing host to 14th seed Hatch (14-14), but 7th seeded Pojoaque Valley (21-5) and 6th seeded Santa Fe Indian School (21-4) could get tough tests from 10th seed Cobre (15-10) at the Elkettes and 11th seed Socorro (23-7) at the Braves.

As for 13th seeded St. Michael’s (10-17), it has a tough task at 4th seeded Shiprock (18-9). The same in 5A with 14th seed Capital (14-14) when it plays at 3rd seeded Gallup (18-10).

Eighth versus ninth is usually a close contest, and that will match 9th seeded Artesia (15-13) at 8th seeded Alamagordo (15-12). Another tight one in 5A could be 7th seeded Espanola Valley (15-11) home to 10th seed Belen (15-14), which plays a tougher schedule and has already beaten the Sundevils on the road this season.

In 3A, 8th seeded Pecos (23-4) has the home court when it faces district foe Tierra Encantada (18-7), the 9th seed that has lost all three times to the first place Panthers. No. 1Texico (22-4) figures to overwhelm 16th seeded Santa Rosa (7-19). Defending state champion Tohatchi (21-6) is the 2nd seed and is home to 15th seeded Loving (14-11), which defeated Pecos on the road in last year’s first round.

Espanola McCurdy (19-1) comes in as the 11th seed and has a long ride to 6th seeded Tularosa (18-7) where it hopes to surprise. No. 10 Cuba (18-9) visits 7th seeded Dulce (18-8), and this, too, could be a close contest.

In 2A, former Santa Fe High head coach, Elmer Chavez, who won state in 2014, is seeded second when his Mescalero Apache (20-1) teams plays host to 15th seed Escalante (7-17). The third seed, Penasco (23-4), takes on visiting 14th seed Questa (13-15).

And Taos will make a showing at Robertson. And Saturday will bring on the first round for the boys.