ALBUQUERQUE — Los Lunas girls basketball swept through the Hope Christian Invitational, capping off the tournament with a 75-56 win over Hope Christian High School in the championship round.
“This might not be the tallest team, but it’s the most athletic team I’ve had,” said Los Lunas head coach Marty Zeller. “Everybody knows their role and accepts that role.”
Los Lunas (15-3) began the tournament with a 75-26 blowout over West Las Vegas on Thursday morning.
Their second-round game against St. Pius was closer initially, ending the first quarter with a 7-6 score. However, the Lady Tigers came out strong in the second and went into halftime up 29-13.
Los Lunas maintained their strong offensive output for the second half and finished the game with a 51-35 win. Senior Marissa Weldon, sophomore Mia Guest and sophomore Natalie Jojola led the team in scoring with 11 points each.
The Lady Tigers hit the ground running in the championship round, scoring 48 points in the first half alone.
“That was a fun game to watch,” said Zeller. “I thought we did a really good job. Our girls did a great job at getting in the mind of the ball handler and making them pass where we wanted them to pass.”
Los Lunas sophomore Mia Guest shoots a free throw.
Dustan Copeland | News-Bulletin photo
Jojola led the Lady Tigers with 21 points, and Guest chipped in with 12. Zeller noted the role defense and rebounding played in the team’s victory, and he pointed out senior Jaidyn Schollander’s 14 rebounds in the game.
Los Lunas, who was voted as the top girls team in New Mexico 4A basketball earlier in the week, will begin district play with a home game against Belen at 2 p.m. next Saturday.
Belen (8-10) hit the road yesterday and fell at Miyamura 63-34. Their next game will be at Valencia (2-15) at 7 p.m on Tuesday.
On the boys’ side, Belen (7-10) lost to Gallup 58-51 at home. Valencia (11-7) picked up a 51-47 win at Sandia Prep. The Jaguars and Eagles will begin district play with a game against each other at Belen High School at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
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April 18, 2024
