SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Monte del Sol head boys basketball coach Ralph Casaus expected back for Friday’s game
With head coach Ralph Casaus home and recovering after testing positive for COVID-19, assistant coach and athletic director Brandon Peterson took over and the visiting Monte del Sol boys basketball team edged Academy of Technology and The Classics, 39-38, Tuesday.
“I’m feeling much better,” Casaus said, “and I’ll be back for our Friday game at Christian Life against Tierra Encantada. I’m thankful for Brandon for taking over.”
Now 4-7 overall and 1-1 in district, the Dragons picked up a team-high 19 points from junior Kevin Enriquez, and he also tossed in a clutch basket in the final minutes to drop ATC to 9-8 overall and 1-2 in district. The game high was 25 points from 6-foot-3 Phoenix wing Julian Bernardino.
ATC had rallied back from an 8-point halftime deficit, but Enriquez’ bucket was key later in the close game. The Phoenix also plays next against Tierra Encantada on Feb. 1.
Also on Tuesday night, St. Michael’s played host to Santa Fe Indian School and turned in a 54-37 triumph to go 3-12 overall and with its first win in three DIstrict 2-3A starts. The Braves, who are finally playing again after being subdued at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, became 7-6 overall and 0-1 in district.
At Santa Fe High in 5-5A play Tuesday, the Demons upped their record to 14-3 overall by dominating Albuquerque Manzano, 71-40, one day after winning at Albuquerque Hope Christian, 66-62.
At Santa Fe Prep, visiting Raton moved to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in District 5-5A Tuesday by getting past the Griffins, 62-51. Prep is now 9-7 overall and 1-2 in district.
Dylan Quartieri had the game-high 22 points for the Tigers, while Jesse Kelly added 18, and for the Griffins it was Finn Coles leading the way with 18 points and Gabe Cordova tossed in 13.
In another boys game, Santa Fe Waldorf dropped a 71-45 decision to Albuquerque Legacy Academy to drop to 3-6 overall and 2-1 in district. Legacy advanced to 7-6 overall and 2-0 in district. The Wolves trailed 16-4 after one quarter, 30-11 at the intermission, and were outscored 41-29 over the last two quarters.
It’s the Capital High girls at Santa Fe High Friday night
The next stop for Capital High girls basketball is at crosstown and District 5-5A rival Santa Fe High after Tuesday night‘s 56-44 district loss to visiting Los Lunas.
Now 4-15 overall and 1-2 in district, the Jaguars struggled on offense to start each half, and the Tigers took advantage of it to hold a 12-4 lead after the first quarter and then outscored the home side 12-8 in the third to command a 40-24 advantage.
Scoring team-high 11 points for Capital was senior Jackie Rosario and junior Amerie Romero. Los Lunas moved to 4-14 overall and 2-1 in district.
At Academy of Technology and The Classics, the Phoenix girls upped their overall mark to 10-5 by romping over Monte del Sol, 50-22, and dropping the Dragons to 2-11 overall.
At Albuquerque Manzano, the Santa Fe High girls won handily 49-21, and are now 11-7 overall and 2-1 in 5-5A, while the Monarchs fell to 2-15 overall and 1-2 in district.
Tierra Encantada was home to Albuquerque Menaul and suffered a 58-18 setback that put it at 3-8 overall and 0-2 in district. The Alacranes were behind 14-6 following the opening quarter, 29-15 at halftime, and 38-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Santa Fe Waldorf’s girls took a 49-13 defeat versus visiting Albuquerque Legacy Academy. It put the Wolves winless in nine overall stats and 0-2 in district.
They trailed from the outset, 12-4 after one quarter, 22-8 at the half, 33-11 after three quarters, and were outscored 16-2 over the final eight minutes. Legacy is now 7-6 and 2-0.
