ALBUQUERQUE — Valencia High School girls basketball beat Del Norte 30-25 after a strong fourth quarter on Tuesday evening.
The Lady Jaguars (2-14) started the game slow and trailed Del Norte after the first quarter by a score of 8-5. The second quarter was a little stronger, and the two squads went into halftime with Valencia up 13-12.
Del Norte tied the game 18-18 at the end of the third quarter, hinting at a possible overtime between the two squads. However, after Valencia junior Raquel Chavez hit a few free throws and a field goal, and senior Mandi Koester dropped a long two-footer, the Jags were off to strong fourth quarter.
The hosting Del Norte squad tied the game at 25-25 late in the game, but Valencia sophomore Daesha Garcia hit a three-pointer with about 30 seconds left in the game. Two more free throws by Chavez put the game out of reach.
Valencia senior forward Hailee Brown led the Jags with 8 points, all of which coming in the first three quarters. Chavez chipped in with 7 points, all of which came in the fourth.
“My post players came in and got the job done in the first half,” said Valencia head coach Micaela Medina. “Daesha and Raquel are usually my high scorers, and they came through in the fourth quarter. Better late than never, right?”
This win marked Medina’s first while coaching against her father, David Medina, who is the head coach at Del Norte High School. The younger Medina was excited for the win and grateful to share the court with her dad.
“It’s an honor to coach against my dad,” said Medina. “He was my coach since third grade all the way up through high school. Everything I’ve learned is from him. I just felt honored I was able to coach beside him.”
1037
April 18, 2024
