Lady Jags fall, Tigers clinch district titles

Valencia girls’ basketball (3-22, 1-6) fell in a 43-37 district game against Grants on Friday.

“It was exciting,” said Lady Jaguars head coach Micaela Medina. “I’m proud of the way the girls played. They played hard.”

The Lady Jaguars kept the game close all four quarters.

At halftime, the Lady Jags trailed 21-16. They brought the game within a point when senior Naymarie Candelaria hit a three-pointer as time expired in the third.

With the score 27-26 heading into the fourth quarter, the Lady Jaguars were poised to come through with a win.

However, Grants scored 16 points in the final eight minutes and put the game out of reach.

“If we hit a couple of free throws, we would have sealed the game,” said Medina. “But it was a complete team effort on that one. This is the first time I’ve seen us score across the books.”

The Lady Jaguars will finish their regular season with a home game against Los Lunas at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Los Lunas (21-3, 6-0) extended their winning streak to 17 consecutive games last week.

The Lady Tigers began the week with a 63-30 win at Belen, and then won 51-34 at home against St. Pius on Friday.

With their St. Pius win, the Lady Tigers clinched their seventh consecutive district title.

The Lady Tigers’ game at Grants was postponed due to inclement weather, and the score was not reported until after the News-Bulletin deadline.

They will conclude their regular season with an away game at Valencia at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Belen (6-15, 1-5) fell at home against Los Lunas last week.

Their game at St. Pius was postponed due to inclement weather, and the score was not reported until after the News-Bulletin deadline.

They Lady Eagles will conclude their season with a home game against Grants at 7 p.m. Friday.

On the boys’ side, Los Lunas (21-3, 6-0) extended their winning streak to 12 straight games. On Friday, they hit the road and beat St. Pius 52-37, clinching the district title.

Their home game against Grants was postponed, and the score was not reported until after the News-Bulletin deadline.

The Tigers will complete their regular season with a home game against Valencia at 7 p.m. Friday.

After a three-game skid, Valencia (15-10, 4-3) picked up a 67-33 road win at Grants.

The Jaguars will finish their regular season with an away game at Los Lunas at 7 p.m. Friday.

Belen (10-14, 2-4) has not played in the last week.

Their home game against St. Pius was postponed due to inclement weather, and the score was not reported until after the News-Bulletin deadline.

They will complete their season with an away game at Grants at 7 p.m. Friday.