Several teams from New Mexico made the trip to play in the Desert Heat Classic in California over the weekend. 6A teams Carlsbad and Cleveland along with 4A's Sandia Prep made up the field of New Mexico teams.
Pirates Go 3-1 In Out of State High Profile Tournament
The small town of Grants, New Mexico will fly the flag high tonight. A town that has one high school but creates a community of past or present still wearing their black and red with pride. As the town goes dark on game night and business are closed, the lights are bright in the gym. The Pirates however sailed to California to take part in the Desert Heat Classic in California.
The Grants Pirates (9-2) went into California, playing well finishing second in their pool going 3-1 on the week. The Pirates took on challengers from California and a squad from Kelso, Washington.
Game By Game
The Pirates held on in the first game against the Kelso High School HIlanders of Washington. The Pirates took an opening quarter lead 23-15 but it was the Hilanders winning the final three quarters (14-11, 18-17, 18-14). However, the Pirates prevailed overtime to take the opening game, 81-75 (OT).
In the second contest of the tournament on Monday night the Pirates took on the Cabrillo Conquistadores (California) who were 10-1 before the game. The four headed Pirate led by Mike Chambers' 21 points led the Pirates to another close 74-69 win. Richie Lucero (14 points), Bradley Hatten (13 points) and Matt Vail (16 points) also in double figures had top performances on the evening.
Tuesday night welcomed another tough opponent for the Pirates in the Mission Vista team out of California. Mission Vista (CA) was 7-1 on the season heading into the game before the Pirates pounded their way to a 93-75 victory. The Pirates took control of each quarter (21-14, 24-23, 22-17, 26-21) on their way to the 18-point victory.
Again it was the senior shooting specialist Mike Chambers with 27 points on the night. The man in the middle had one of his best games of the season with 21 points on the night. Also, providing a spark for the Pirates was senior guard Eric Gonzales placing himself in the spotlight with 18 points on the night.
In the final game of the tournament the Pirates took on one of the top teams in Rancho Mirage High School Rattlers (California) who were 12-0 heading into the contest. The Rattlers had been blowing out opponents by 20 points minus one win of 10 points.
Rancho Mirage came out firing taking an early 18-2 lead over the Pirates but using a 23-13 run they cut the lead to 31-25 by the half. The Pirates continued their push towards the title cutting the Rattlers lead 47-45 at the end of the third quarter, Richie Lucero had 12 third quarter points.
The Pirates fell short in the final quarter dropping the final, 74-64. The Pirates go to 9-2 on the season. Overall the Pirates created one of the toughest opponents for the 13-0 California team this season a team that beat No. 4 Carlsbad, 74-39 on Monday.
