SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
The Pecos boys once again had a tough go with Santa Rosa, while the Pecos girls had no problem with the Lion girls in the Thursday night District 7-2A doubleheader at Santa Rosa.
The last time Santa Rosa’s boys matched up on the road against Pecos, they hung in there before falling short. But in the 2017 state championship game, the Panthers were in control all the way. This time, it was a tight 55-51 win for Pecos as they advanced to 20-3 overall and a first place 4-0 in district.
Junior Xavier Padilla led the way with six of his 22 points coming in the final eight minutes. He also converted 8-of-11 free throws, all in the first half. The Panthers were up 28-27 at the half, but made the key plays in the fourth quarter. Anthony Armijo added 10 points. The Lions dropped to 15-7 overall and 1-3 in district.
The Pecos girls stayed a game behind first place Texico with a convincing 50-23 romp over Santa Rosa. The Panthers are now 18-4 overall and 3-1 in district. They took a 16-6 after one quarter and increased it to 26-11 at halftime.
Senior Brittany Martinez of Pecos had the game high of 21 points and senior Cassie Muller tossed in 19. The inside strength of freshman Trinity Herrera and senior Faith Flores brought them seven rebounds each.
Tonight, both Pecos teams travel to Clayton for a doubleheader. In the first meeting of the district foes at Pecos, the Panthers swept. The Clayton girls are 12-8 overall and 1-2 in district. The boys are 8-14 and winless in three district starts.
In boy’s 5-5A, Santa Fe High and Capital prepared for their rematch at Toby Roybal Memorial gymnasium Wednesday night by moving into a 4-4 second place, with both hitting the road, Santa Fe High winning 63-52 at Albuquerque Manzano, and the Jaguars 58-46 at Albuquerque Sandia.
Overall, the Demons are 17-7 overall after dropping four of their last five starts. Capital advanced 16-7 with its second-straight win after back-to-back losses.
Junior Carlos Dassaro had 17 points for Santa Fe High, but the team added another injury to join Fedonta “JB” White and Anthony Sisneros, both
sidelined with knee injuries. Dassaro did suffer a rolled ankle in practice Wednesday, although it didn’t seem to both him. But teammate P.J. Lovato left on crutches after a late ankle injury.
Manzano, which is in a first place tie with Albuquerque High, is now 5-3 in district and 12-9 overall. The two are a game ahead of Santa Fe High and Capital.
Capital worked its way inside and made good on 22 of 38 shots, to go with 14-of-17 foul shots. The Jags led 26-17 at the half, but increased it to a 13-point advantage after three quarters. T.J. Sanchez had the team-high 17 points and Seth Arroyos contributed 10. Brandon Saiz and Dominic Luna scored eight points each. Sandia fell to 9-13 overall and 3-5 in district.
