Pecos’ boys basketball team banks on experience, with nine seniors in the lineup and most of them around for three- straight state championships, and in defense of their Stu Clark tournament title playing now at New Mexico Highlands

Anthony Armijo, Pecos’ 5-foot-9 senior point guard, is, like eight other seniors under head coach Ira Harge, Jr., seeking a fourth-straight boy’s state basketball champion, the first two in 3A and last season in 2A.

As an 8th grader on the Panthers’ initial championship team after losing in three other finals, Armijo played like he’s been around the court for years. On that day, in the victory over district rival Santa Rosa, he scored, he crashed the boards, handed out assists, and played smart defense.

The next two titles came over previously undefeated district foe Texico, and over once-beaten Newcomb.

Now, after hoisting three state championship trophies, Armijo is part of the terrific trio that includes 6-3 senior post Ismael Villegas and 6-1 senior forward Xavier Padilla, the two leading scorers who rely on Armijo to get them the ball.

In Thursday’s first game of the annual Stu Clark boy’s tournament played at New Mexico Highlands University and won last year by these Panthers, Armijo did his part in the 69-44 romp over Albuquerque St. Pius X, the runner-up last season and Harge’s alma mater.

As for Armijo, he did his part versus the Sartans, piecing together 14 points that included back-to-back 3s in the first quarter to go with six assists and the same number of steals.

Villegas had the team-high 21 points that included tossing in 9-of-11 free throws. Senior Juan Varela added 11 points and Padilla turned in 10.

The Panthers’ defense stymied St. Pius X (3-5) by limiting it to only 18 first-half points and building a 40-18 lead at halftime.

The Dons, co-hosts with Robertson, disposed of Mora to advance, while the Cardinals (7-2) will face Bernalillo (6-4) after topping Santa Rosa, and Bernalillo was defeating Taos.

Santa Fe High is now 9-1 after Thursday night‘s 77-56 triumph over El Paso Socorro in the annual Jalene Berger Holiday Hoops Classic played at Rio Rancho High, with the Bulldogs losing for the fifth time in 15 starts.

The Demons, whose only setback came against district and cross-town rival Capital in the Armendariz final.

Santa Fe High was up 33-17 at the intermission, but Socorro cut the gap to 38-30. Then after the Demons stayed in front 45-38 with seven minutes remaining, it was increased to 52-38 on senior Carlos Dassaro’s layup from the wing and short jumper.

Usually a team that relies on the long-range 3, Santa Fe High took more perimeter shots this time, and called on the defense when the Bulldogs made their runs but could never gain the lead.

The defeat versus the Jaguars came a week after the two met in the title game of the annual Capital City tournament, and the Demons winning in overtime on their home court.