Some changes made to the long-time annual Ben Lujan basketball tournament

There’s always a change in the weather, but for all the years that Pojoaque Valley has hosted the Ben Lujan basketball tournament, there haven’t been many changes.

But now there are. After Matt Martinez was athletic director for more than two decades at the school, he retired and then unretired not long after to begin in the same role at Rio Rancho Cleveland. And Pojoaque Valley brought in a new athletic director, but the usual communication was not there anymore.

And in the 30th year of the annual girls and 20th year of the annual boys, a change was made. From the usual 12-16 teams, it became eight each in girls and boys play, and also, instead of two championships, it became four, the Green Bracket and the White Bracket in each.

And from the usual three days, it became two and takes the floor Friday in the semifinals, and on Saturday in the finals for both genders.

West Las Vegas’ girls had been scheduled to open in the Green Bracket against Kirtland Central, but it was learned that the Dons will be replaced by the Santa Fe High junior varsity. The other parings has Socorro versus host Pojoaque, and in the White Bracket, it’s Mesa Visa against St. Michael’s, and Albuquerque Bosque facing Penasco.

In the boys Green Bracket, it’s Kirtland Central meeting up with Santa Fe Indian School, and Monte del Sol playing host Pojoaque. The White Bracket has Mesa Visa taking on Academy of Technology and The Classics, and Crownpoint going against Bosque School.