Pecos girls basketball are being challenged for first place in District 7-2A after losing at Clayton, 63-58, Thursday night while Texico forced the top spot tie by claiming a 56-34 rout at Santa Rosa

Winning its first state basketball championship last season, the Pecos girls could have a tough time repeating in 2A.

Although at 19-5 overall, Thursday night‘s 63-58 District 7 defeat at Clayton dropped the Panthers to 3-1 and into a first place tie with Texico after the Wolverines had no problem taking to the road and handing Santa Rosa a 56-34 setback.

Last year, Pecos was coached by Ron Drake, who is now in the same role at Academy of Technology and The Classics and former assistant Brian Gonzales is now head coach of the Panthers.

Pecos has already defeated Texico at home, and now travels to the Wolverines to settle the top spot.

In 2-4A, Taos came to Pojoaque Valley and left with a 61-48 defeat, while at Moriarty, it was Espanola Valley claiming a close 34-30 triumph.