Basketball teams continue district play

Los Lunas basketball

The Los Lunas Tigers boys basketball team picked up two wins last week to get their in-district record to 4-0.

Last Tuesday, the Tigers got a 63-50 win over the Capital Jaguars up in Santa Fe.

Jalin Holland led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds in the win. Ezra Guest added 14 points of his own as the Tigers pushed their record in-district to 3-0 with the win.

Then came Saturday afternoon. Because Rio Grande’s gym had yet to be completed, the Ravens instead came to LLHS to take on the Tigers. It was a close game throughout, with Rio Grande taking a 46-44 second half lead at one point.

With most of his teammates in foul trouble, Jamian Perez took over and scored a game high 30 points to lead the Tigers to a 75-68 win over Rio Grande.

Holland added 18 points, but was sidelined much of the first half after picking up two early fouls. Guest also contributed, dishing out 15 assists in the win.

This week, the Tigers will play two games. First up is a visit from Albuquerque High and then the Tigers will travel to Albuquerque to take on Manzano on Friday night.

The Los Lunas Lady Tigers kept their hot streak going this past week, winning both of their games.

The Lady Tigers got 21 points from Tayden Hanks as they defeated Capital by a final of 56-44. That win was the Tigers’ fourth in their previous five games.

Los Lunas wasn’t done winning during the week, as on Friday night they got a 53-16 victory over Rio Grande.

“We’ve had some of our kids that have faced life-changing events this season that are a far greater concern than basketball,” head coach Anne Salazar said about her team growth this season. “Despite all of the adversity, the girls have shown up when we’ve had practice and worked hard and have improved greatly over the season. I could not be more proud how these girls have responded to each challenge and hardship we have faced this season.”

With the win, their fifth over their last six games, the Lady Tigers move to within a half game of the district leader Albuquerque High.

The Lady Tigers will face off with the Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday night with the lead of the district on the line. Then, Los Lunas will end the week by hosting Manzano on Friday night, looking for a sweep of the Lady Monarchs.

 

Valencia basketball

The Lady Jaguars pushed their winning streak to five in a row following last week’s two victories.

Valencia began the week with an in-district win over Grants by a final of 49-39. In that win, Sonja Lopez scored 12 points, while Elena Lucero added 11 points of her own and Jadyn Montoya had 9 points and five steals.

The Lady Jaguars then ended the week with an out-of-district victory, a 50-25 decision over Chaparral.

Valencia has a pair of games this week, both in-district match ups with district standings implications.

First, the Lady Jaguars will host second-place Highland, with the district lead on the line in that one. Then they will be on the road to take on Belen on Friday night.

The Valencia boys were in action just once last week, but it turned out sour for the Jaguars. Despite some good defense, the Jaguars offense sputtered and Valencia fell to Grants by a final of 41-38.

That loss is Valencia’s third in a row and pushes their record down to 0-3 in-district play.

The Jaguars will have two chances to bounce back this week. First up is a road game against Highland, then the Jaguars will host Belen on Friday night.

 

Belen basketball

The losing streak has hit three for the Belen boys following a couple of games last week.

On Friday night, the Eagles fell at home to St. Pius by a final of 53-45. Daniel Corrales scored 15 points in the loss for Belen, but was held to just three points in the second half of the game.

The turnaround was quick for the Eagles, as they visited Los Alamos on Saturday night up in the Atomic City. That game also proved rough for Belen as they fell 55-53 to the Hilltoppers in the non-district match up.

With those two losses, the Eagles are 12-8 overall and 1-2 in-district play.

Belen will be playing twice this week, both games away from home. First up, the Eagles will travel to take on Grants and then they will visit Valencia on Friday night.

The Lady Eagles came so close to getting their second win of the season last week. Belen started the week with a non-district game against Socorro.

The Lady Eagles were able to force overtime, but eventually fell short, losing by a final of 50-47.

Belen then finished the week at St. Pius, a game in which they were defeated by a final of 45-20.

Belen is now 0-3 in-district play and will have two shots this week to get back into the win column. First up is a home game with Grants, then the Lady Eagles will play host to Valencia on Friday night.