NMPreps.com's list of recaps and highlights from the 2020 New Mexico high school state basketball tournament. #nmpreps
#1 Los Lunas 62, #9 Bloomfield 35
Recap: The top-seed and defending state champion Los Lunas Tigers looked every part for a repeat to start this one. The Tigers jumped out to a 15-6 lead and then used another 22-0 run mid-way third into the fourth to cap off a 62-35 win over 9-seed Bloomfield.
The Bloomfield Bobcats looked outmatched at the start before fighting back into the game bringing it as close as 32-27 with 5 minutes to go in the third before the Los Lunas run. It would be Feleena Candelaria (2021/F) leading the charge as the post was unstoppable on her way to a double-double, 16 points and 10 rebounds. We also have to mention to shooting of guard Yolando Griego who was a spark time and time again. She ended with four threes (12 points).
The Bobcats were led by Halle Payne who finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
STATS
Los Lunas
Feleena Candelaria - 16 points, 10 rebounds.
Yolando Griego - 12 points, 2 rebounds.
Dani Ross - 12 points, 7 rebounds.
Natalie Jojola - 10 points, 6 assists.
Bloomfield
Halle Payne - 12 points, 8 rebounds
Katie Waresback - 10 points, 4 rebounds
Next: The Los Lunas Tigers will face 4-seed Highland in the Final Four on Friday.
#2 Kirtland Central 61, #10 Gallup 54
Recap: The crowd came alive in this one with the district rivals squaring off in the elite eight game. The Kirtland Central Broncos, leading for most of the contest, pulled away late to securing a spot in the Final Four, 61-54.
The young Bengals led by the stellar play of Jordan Joe, a stretch-four that has some range. She would end the night with 19 points and 6 rebounds for the Bengals.
It wouldn't be enough however as the Lady Broncos answered almost each time the Bengals tried to take a run. Tatelyn Manheimer, 16 points, and Candace Patterson, 14 points, would lead their team to a win. The duo was on par with the best of the them today.
The Broncos move on to the Final Four to take on the 3-seed Portales Rams.
#3 Portales 63, #6 Bernalillo 54 - Final
Recap: The 6-seed Bernalillo Spartans opened with a strong first quarter exchanging buckets early on and led by sophomore sensation Juliana Aragon. However, it would be the sophomore group of Portales that would take the charge for the Rams in the 63-54 win.
The Portales inside-out duo of Kylyie Paden (2022/Forward) and Taris Rippee (2022/Guard) seemed too much for the Spartans to start the day. Paden with a MVP type of night with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Rippee, a nifty guard that showed some nice penetration abilities, getting to the bucket and topping it off with nice finishing moves. She finished with 20 points.
Juliana Aragon (2022/Guard) paced the way for the Spartans with 24 points and 9 assists.
Stats: Portales (63)
Kylyie Paden - 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Taris Rippee - 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.
TOTAL FG - 23 of 45 (51%)
3-PT - 4 of 10 (40%)
TO - 13
Stats: Bernalillo (54)
Juliana Aragon - 20 points and 6 assists. 2 rebounds.
Gabby O'Hara - 6 points and 4 rebounds.
TOTAL FG - 22 of 53 (42%)
3-PT - 6 of 21 (29%)
TO - 13
Next: No. 3 Portales will move into the FINAL FOUR to take on the winner between No. 10 Gallup and No. 2 Kirtland Central.
Live: Play-by-Play
#4 Highland 65, #5 Pojoaque Valley 55
RECAP
The 4-seed Highland Hornets looked to run away early after an 8-1 start to the game. Pojoaque Valley came alive to tie it after one and took a lead for a majority of the middle of the contest before Highland came back to win, 65-55.
Pojoaque was up 40-32 with about 1:33 left in the third quarter behind a monster game from Michaela Martinez (2020/Guard), she ended with 27-points to lead the Elketts in scoring.
Coming alive in the fourth quarter was top talent Cailee Crawford who put in 21 points on the game but it was the spark from the point guard in Deniece Ryan who scored 17 points, pulled 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
STATS
Highland (65)
Cailee Crawford - 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
Deniece Ryan - 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
Kylie Crooke - 10 points, 3 rebounds.
TOTAL FG - 20 of 46 (43%)
3PT - 1 for 6 (17%)
TO - 21
Pojoaque Valley (55)
Michaela Martinez - 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Anissa Herrera - 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists.
Ashten Martinez - 7 points, 13 rebounds
TOTAL FG - 11 of 54 (20%)
3PT - 4 of 20 (20%)
TO - 20
NEXT
The No. 4 Highland Hornets will await the winner between No. 1 Los Lunas and No. 9 Bloomfield.
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