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Visiting Santa Fe High girls run into West Mesa team on a mission, falling 71-27 in Tuesday night’s hoops opener for new head coach Cindy Roybal
St. Michael’s, under new head coach Martin Esquibel, drops opener at Los Alamos, but Capital and new head coach Darren Casados turn back Taos on the road
By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today
Welcome to 6A, Cindy Roybal.
Santa Fe High’s new girl’s basketball coach received an resounding greeting in Tuesday night’s season opener at West Mesa. It was also the opener for the Mustangs, who went 25-2 last season before losing in the state tournament.
Returning its starting lineup and on a mission after falling short last season, the home team won going away, 71-27. If it’s any consolation, West Mesa is not in the same district as the Demonettes, although 2-6A won’t be an easy task for Roybal’s new team.
Prior to her new role, Roybal coached 3A, 4A and 5A, so this was her introduction to 6A.
Santa Fe High did strike early with a 3-0 lead, but it faded quickly as the Mustangs went into full gear for a 24-5 lead after one quarter. It increased to 42-11 at halftime.
Not a team with dominating height, West Mesa has excellent guard play and can toss them in from outside. It tossed in eight 3s in the first half and finished with 11. It didn’t make Roybal happy as she put the blame on her defense.
“That was crazy,” she said, “because whether it was a man or a matchup, there was always somebody where they shouldn’t be, and West Mesa did a hell of a job finding the right person.”
Leading Santa Fe High in scoring was senior Taylor Salazar with a dozen points, and senior Adrianna Baca-Martinez added nine.
The next stop for the Demonettes should bring better results. They now have eight days to prepare for Aztec in the opener of the annual Al Armendariz tournament played at Capital High.
The Jaguars advanced to 2-1 under new head coach Darren Cadados by winning 57-52 at Taos. It was the second-straight win after an opening setback at home to Pojoaque Valley.
Offensively, Capital was led by a team-high 17 points from senior Miranda Carter. 13 coming in the fourth quarter, while senior Ethena Silver contributed 12 and 11 scored by junior Kyannah Cole.
Defensively, Cadasdos had praise for the defense of junior Vivika Vigil and senior and Audrey Gonzales, both guards. There were also kudos for the interior defense of senior Ishara Sorensen. Gonzales was the lone Jaguar girl to qualify for the state cross country championship.
It wasn’t a good start for new St. Michael’s head coach Martin Esquibel as it took to the road and lost 53-42 at Los Alamos. His team was forced into 22 turnovers and its foul shooting was dismal.
These negatives helped the Hilltoppers to an 18-12 first-quarter lead that became 27-22 at the half. St. Michael’s converted but four of 19 free throws and consistently committed turnovers.
“That hurt us,” said Esquibel. “With an up tempo game you get more shots, but some times you don’t finish these opportunities. But the girls played a good game overall.”
The Lady Horsemen were led by 13 points from junior Carina Padilla and senior Karina Baca added nine.
