SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Yes, St. Michael’s is again travelling the same road as before, but this time its boys basketball team returned from Robertson Friday night with a one-game lead in DIstrict 2-3A with two regular-season games remaining.
Unlike last season when the Horsemen lost their first district start at West Las Vegas in 10 contests to force a playoff game that they won over Santa Fe Indian School, now they are 7-1 following the 59-43 loss to the streaking Cardinals.
Not only was it the fifth-straight win for Robertson (19-5 overall), but it abruptly snapped St. Michael’s own streak in eight starts, and stopped its momentum after winning 11 of its last 13 games.
Except that all the Horsemen have to do to avoid another playoff (against Robertson or West Las Vegas or a 3-way tie), they would have to defeat the visiting Dons Wednesday night.
Presently, the Cards are 6-2 in district and should have no problem the same night winning up at Raton (13-10, 1-6). Now the Dons are 6-1 (14-8 overall) and Robertson will need them to pin a loss on St. Michael’s and on Saturday set up a 3-way tie by taking the short ride across town and defeating West Las Vegas.
But Dave Rodriguez’ team can avoid all this by disposing of the Dons for the second time, and clinching first place and home court advantage in the district tournament by winning its Saturday game at Indian School (11-11, 1-5).
It’s easy math, the Horsemen are 7-1, the Dons 6-1, and the Cards 6-2. Tonight WLV should have its way versus visiting last place Santa Fe Prep (5-14, 0-7).
Previously defeating the Dons on the road was crucial for St. Michael’s, for now it needs only a win before its home crowd.
Against Robertson, the Horsemen got away to a 12-7 lead then missed 18 of their next 20 shots, and were a dismal 10 for 31 from the floor heading into the final eight minutes. But it was no contest when the home team possessed a 44-22 lead in the last minute of the third quarter.
Also in 2-3A, the Braves hit the road for Raton along with West Las Vegas playing host to the Griffins (5-14, 0-7).
In 2-4A, Espanola Valley traveled up to Los Alamos and left with a 65-50 win, and at Moriarty it was Taos getting past the Pintos, 48-41.
Tonight, in 5-5A, first place Santa Fe High is at Albuquerque Sandia and second place Capital heads for Albuquerque High.
In 7-2A, first place Pecos will get a visit from second place Santa Rosa, and in 2-2A, Academy of Technology and The Classics plays Tierra Encantada at the Christian Life Academy court.
