SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
The Santa Fe High girls took to the road Thursday night and held off former district rival Espanola Valley in overtime, while Los Alamos turned back visiting defending state 3A champion Robertson, but for Capital the road to Farmington was a rough one against undefeated Piedra Vista.
The Demonettes were able to equal their overall record at 7-7 and drop the Sundevils to 8-6 via a tight 39-38 non district finish thanks to the heroics of freshman Zuriel Vigil, who tossed in a tie breaking basket in the final minute of the OT, and then relied on the Santa Fe High defense to protect the short lead. Espanola did get off final 3-point shot, but missed what would have been the game winner.
It took the Demonettes erasing a 35-31 deficit in the final minute of regulation that forced the overtime on buckets by sophomore Olivia Montoya and freshman Maci Cordova. Vigil had the team-high 11 points and Cordova added 10.
The next stop for Santa Fe High is a non district home game Tuesday against neighboring rival St. Michael’s.
Up at Hilltopper land in non district play, Los Alamos dealt disappointing Robertson another setback, 56-34, after the Cardinals (5-9) lost their way after leading 13-12 after one quarter, and were shut down by poor shooting and tight defense by the home side. Senior Becca Green led the way with the game-high 18 points, fellow senior Natalie Gallegos contributed 11 and junior Michaela Gonzales tossed in 10. Now 9-6, the Toppers are home to Albuquerque Manzano on Jan. 16.Robertson is at Tohatchi Tuesday.
The Cards had only two defeats last season in winning their initial state 3A title.
Not a good night for Capital as it fell to 4-9 with its sixth-straight setback, 71-33. The Jaguars scored but two points in the opening quarter and Piedra Vista (11-0) turned a 10-2 lead into a 35-12 advantage at halftime. Senior Heaven Arciniega was high scorer for Capital with 11 points, five coming in the last quarter. The Jags play at Taos Saturday.
