Saturday, July 4, 2009

County stars shine in North-South competition

Gabaldon, Garcia, Sanchez represent VC

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Sports Editor; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Tears are often shed when high school athletes play their last games with their regular teammates — and that was certainly the case for Los Lunas High softball star Alicia Gabaldon.

For a handful of high school stars, there is a tiny bit of high school competition remaining in the form of North-South all-star games. Three local standouts had a chance to play for the North team in those contests on the weekend of June 12-13.

Gabaldon and Danielle Garcia represented LLHS in the Class 4A/5A North-South series in Clovis, while former Belen High star Lucas Sanchez suited up for his school in the baseball equivalent in Las Cruces.

"I had a blast," Gabaldon said regarding her all-star experience. "We always thought of each other as enemies on the field, but I had so much fun at North-South."

Gabaldon, a catcher from the Tigers' 2008-09 team that qualified for the fourth straight year, played in all three games — the June 12 doubleheader and the June 13 single game — in her series. She caught for three talented pitchers: Cibola's Missy Martinez, Piedra Vista's Tristen Moore and Aztec's Leah Becker.

"Catching for Missy was really fun," said Gabaldon. "She's a sweetheart."

The former Tiger also got a hit in her only plate appearance in each game, she said.

Gabaldon said the North team, one loaded with talented infielders, wound up using Garcia as an outfielder, uprooting her from the shortstop spot she anchored for three years with the LLHS varsity.

"Danielle had never played right field before," said Gabaldon. "She didn't like it."

Gabaldon was following in the footsteps of her sister, Adri, who was a North-South selection a year ago. Gabby Pino and Devonne Martinez also played in the series last year, and all three played college softball in 2009.

Gabaldon plans to follow Adri again when she suits up for Luna College in Las Vegas, N.M. next season.

Sanchez played outfield spots and started both Saturday games in the baseball event.

"It was kind of weird at first," said Sanchez, referring to suiting up alongside bitter high school rivals. "But it ended up being pretty cool. We talked a lot about things that went on during the season."

Sanchez was the toughest pitcher and one of the top hitters for Eagle baseball, which had an outstanding 2008-09 season. Belen won its first district championship since 1995, went 17-13 and reached the state quarterfinals for the second straight year.

Sanchez, who was preceded by BHS's 2008 North-South selection, Johnny Garcia, said he didn't really get many questions about the Belen program. That may change if BHS continues to produce all-stars. "It's great recognition for the kids and for the program," said BHS coach Steve Contreras.

Sanchez said he went 1-for-2 with two walks at the plate in the June 13 early game, playing left field and center field. He didn't pitch in the series, as he continues to let his ailing right elbow heal.

Sanchez went 2-for-3 in the series finale. His North team won all three games, triumphing in the June 12 game, 6-5, and winning 12-1 and 7-3 on June 13. The North now leads all-time series, 20-14.

The former Eagle is playing on a Connie Mack team this summer, the Farmington Cardinals, which, as of the latest information, was still vying for a spot in this month's Connie Mack World Series.

In the fall, Sanchez will be at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs. The Thunderbirds won a national championship in 2005 and reached the title game again the following year.

On May 30, the North-South Class 4A/5A girls basketball game was played in Gallup. Brook Serrano of LLHS and Casey Stambaugh were picked as alternates for the North for that contest, and Stambaugh was actually invited to play, but couldn't due to a family commitment.

Serrano and Stambaugh both played in the East-West Metro All-Star game in March.

More North-South all-star competition is slated for late July. On Tuesday, July 28, volleyball action is slated for the University of New Mexico's Johnson Gym, with a Class 1A/2A, a Class 3A/4A and a Class 5A match all scheduled. Brittany Jaramillo of Belen will serve as an outside hitter for the 3A/4A North team.

On Thursday, July 30, the boys 4A/5A all-star game will be played at the Pit at UNM. Belen graduate Daniel Hessinger is listed as an alternate for the North.

Friday, July 30, is the date of the 4A/5A football game at University Stadium. Clovis Rivera and Tyler East of Belen and Chance Roberts of Los Lunas were named to the North team for that contest.

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