Submitted photo
Three area standouts were named to the Las Cruces Hoopla All-Tournament Team. Pictured on the far left, Jayden Montoya, of Valencia High School, Audrey Gaerlan, of Los Lunas High School, and Azalia Malizia of VHS.
What are the odds? Valencia County’s six high school basketball teams — boys and girls — each lost their opening round games at various holiday tournaments but all six won their second contest. That set up several rematches.
After beating Deming for their first win of the season, the Los Lunas girls lost for a second time to Valencia 45-31 at the Las Cruces Hoopla Tournament in the consolation championship.
The two schools also faced off in the boys’ bracket of the Hoopla Tournament, with LLHS notching win number two over the Jaguars, 68-38 for the consolation title.
The Belen girls posted a 1-2 record in the Roswell Goddard tournament, with the Eagles’ victory coming against Lovington, 48-44. The BHS boys played in the Stu Clark Tournament in Las Vegas, N.M., posting a 1-2 mark with their win coming against West Las Vegas, 61-59.
Several area players were named to All-Tournament Teams. For the girls, Jayden Montoya and Azalia Malizia, of VHS, along with Audrey Gaerlan, of LLHS, were recognized in the Hoopla tournament. Belen’s Maesyn Lopez was selected in the Goddard event.
On the boy’s side, the Jaguars’ Damian Estrada, and the Tigers’ Jalin Holland and Ezra Guest were honored at the Hoopla. The Stu Clark Tournament did not have an All-Tournament Team; however, the Eagles’ Jordi Rojo was among the leading scorers, averaging 20 points per game.
All county teams have several more games before district competition starts the week of Jan. 16.
Mike Powers spent more than 40 years as a television news and sports anchor, mostly in the Albuquerque market. He has won numerous awards including New Mexico Sportscaster of the Year. He covers a wide range of sports, including the Valencia County prep scene.
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April 19, 2024
