Monte del Sol girls lose, Santa Fe Indian School boys win in Monday non district basketball games

Tonight, in girl’s games, Santa Fe High is home to Kirtland Central, St. Michael’s home to Bernalillo, Capital at undefeated Moriarty, Demon boys at Espanola

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

With only two seniors on the roster, but seven 8th graders, Monte del Sol’s girls are still seeking their initial win after losing their fourth basketball game in a row in Monday’s visit to Mesa Vista, falling 60-20.

But the Santa Fe Indian School boys came away with a 63-43 win at Escalante to advance to 4-3 and drop the home team to the same record. The Braves next play at home on Wednesday, Dec. 19, against Ruidoso (4-1).

As for the Dragons, they fell behind early, trailing 15-2 after one quarter and 35-11 at halftime. Their leading scorer with 9 points was one of the seniors, Alejandra Castillo, while Mesa Vista received 18 points from 5-foot-2 senior Maryssa Martin. Castillo also tossed in a 3 and was 2-for-3 from the foul line.

Monte del Sol’s next stop is Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Walatowa Charter in Jemez Pueblo, game time 4 p,m.

Tonight, the Santa Fe High boys head to undefeated Espanola Valley for a non district game. The Sundevils have won their four starts and the Demons are 4-4.

And Thursday night, Cindy Roybal returns to Espanola Valley, where she previously coached for four years before taking over the Santa Fe High program this season. The teams met earlier, with the Sundevils emerging with a 34-32 triumph. They are 3-4, the Demonettes 3-5.

These schools were fierce rivals when both were in District 2-5A, trading district titles regularly. When Santa Fe High won the district in a double overtime win in 2014 over Espanola at home, it went on to win the state championship.

Also tonight, the Demonettes are home to Kirtland Central (6-2) in non district play. Capital (6-4) travels to undefeated Moriarty (9-0) in a non district test, and Bernalillo (1-8) is at St. Michael’s (2-5).

Thursday, the annual Ben Lujan tournament tips off at Pojoaque Valley, with a field of eight girls and boys teams each. The tournament concludes Saturday