Week Four of the season seen one major upset of the night along with a few minor upset games on the night. NMPreps.com was there to capture some highlights.
HIGHLIGHTS: NMPREPS.COM GAME OF THE NIGHT
VALLEY GYM, Albuquerque, NM - The No. 4 Valley Vikings (2-0) were on the road Tuesday night as they took on the hosting No. 7 Cibola Cougars (1-1).
The Vikings got off to a nice start and never looked back as their determination and hustle on the defensive and offensive boards proved to be the deciding factor. The Guard play of Joe Anaya and Robert Armijo of Valley proved to be a very tough duo to contend with for the Cougars. Also helping out for the Vikings was Adonis Saltes who tore it up in the paint on the night both rebounding and scoring. Valley and Coach Coleman have a very good looking unit this year and if they continue to play mistake free ball, while maintaining a high level of defense they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. **** Sorrry Vally Fans - I, Josh Henderson made a huge error and forgot to turn the microphone on for the Post Game Interviews. Im very sorry for the mess up and basically, I owe you guys one see u guys down the road :). ****
Josh Hendo, Players of the Game: Joe Anaya (Valley)
HIGHLIGHTS: NMPREPS.COM BUBBLE BUSTER GAME
ELECTRIC GYM, Rio Rancho, NM - The No. 21 Cleveland Storm (3-2) boy's basketball team jumped to an 8-0 start and never looked back, controlling the entire game. The Storm never trailed in the game.
Leading scorer for the Storm, Kaydon Sneed (2013), led the Storm with again tonight with 11 points as the only player in double figures for them. Cleveland had big help from second chance points by big man Desmond Branch. The team was balanced on overall play as several players contributed on the night. Bright some in the second half also came from freshman Marcus Williams.
Onate (3-3) was led by rising star Daemund McCants who finished the Knight with 24 points. McCants, was the main focus and kept the Knights in this game the entire night by his three point shooting ability and ability to take post players off the dribble.
The first half was all the Storm, as they got on the board early and capitalized on Knight turnovers. The Storm also shot well in the opening quarter led by the backcourt. Forward Sterling Napier, also hit a three pointer in the opening quarter.
The Knights tried to slow down the pace of the game and held the ball several times, trying to keep it close. The Storm however, answered every shot in the second half though and eventually pulled to far ahead for a comeback by the Knights. McCants hit a pair of three pointers, trying to keep them close.
Grine, Players of the Game: Desmond Branch (Cleveland), & Daemund McCants (Onate).
TUESDAY: BOX SCORE RECAPS
No. 8 La Cueva 64, No. 5 Volcano Vista 62:
La Cueva (1-1) avoided falling to 0-2, with a big win against the Hawks of Volcano Vista. The Bears were led by Bryce Alford who had 42 points on the night. The Hawks were led by Nick Martin having 19 points.
No. 9 Las Cruces 74, Chapin (TX) 62:The Las Cruces Bulldawgs faced off against the EP Chapin Huskies on Tuesday Night. The Buldawgs were able to get to the rim at ease and it was Kai Williams who lead the charge offensively as he accumulated a game high 28 points. Also, with 19 points was Gilbert Sigala. The Dawgs are looking better and better each week, and Joe Garza adding a nice 10 points on the night the Dawgs looked like they have what it takes to finish the regular season on a strong note.
No. 10 Santa Teresa 52, Mountian View (TX) 26:
The No. 10 Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (4-0) jumped out early on Mountian View (TX) and never looked back. The Desert Warriors continue it's dominance early this season. The Desert Warriors were led by big man Mario Ramirez who had 16 points and guard Luis Escobedo finished with 11 points.
No. 12 Sandia Matadors 79, Albuquerque Academy Chargers 41: The Matadors (1-1) ended the Chargers upset streak and topped the Chargers on Tuesday night. Tim Brennan paced the Matadors with 20 points along with high scorer Adam Cumber with 23 points. The Chargers got 8 points from Chris Martin.
No. 13 Atrisco Heritage 63, No. 24 Belen 43: The Atrisco Jaguars (2-0) never looked back after taking the lead early in this one. The Jaguars were led by Cornin Waquie with 14 points. Ray Montoya had 14 points for Belen.
No. 14 Rio Rancho 71, Espanola Valley 70:
The No. 14 Rio Rancho Rams (1-2) faced off against Espanola Valley (3-2) on Tuesday Night and both teams showed up to a packed house in Edward Medina Gymnasium. Although the Rams would pull out a win thanks to a last second shot by the Rams the, Sundevils showed some true spirit and that they have what it takes to play some ball when it counts. Leading the way for the Rams was Josh Lucero who had 15 points.
No. 15 Capital Jaguars 53, No. 25 Manzano 46:
The No. 15 Capital Jaguars (3-0) and the No. 25 Manzano Monarchs (0-2) did battle on Tuesday night. For Manzano the 1-3-1 zone that Capital was able to apply was at times pours allowing for outside shooters to make some shots but overall the zone limited T.J. Holyfield's chances at second chance opportunities and from controlling the boards. For Capital leading the way offensively was Christian Martinez who had a game high 21 points, also helping out for the Jags was Mikey Lopez who had 15 points of his own. The win is a beg step in the right direction for the Jaguars and if they can improve their free-throw shooting they will once again prove to be a tough team to beat in district 2-4A.
No. 16 St. Pius X Sartans 60, Gallup Bengals 56:
The No. 16 St. Pius X Sartans (1-0) open the season with a big win over Gallup High School (1-2) , 60-56. The Sartans were led by Micah Sanchez who had 20-points and displayed his shooting abilities. The game stayed close throughout the contest before they moved ahead by four. Gallup was led by guard Darrin Spencer with 20 points.
No. 18 Rio Grande Ravens 65, Santa Fe Demons 51: The No. 18 Rio Grande Ravens (1-1) were on the road on Tuesday night as they Santa Fe High Demons played the roll of host. The Ravens would go on to win this one with the help go big man Mike Torrez, who finished with 17 points but also played the roll of Quarterback and would distribute the ball to his teammates when the Demon defense would crash on him leaving other Ravens open for the shot. Juwab Brooks of the Ravens made the most of his opportunities on the night to help lead the Ravens to victory behind a game high 19 points.
UPSET ALERT: No. 22 Bernalillo Spartans 79, No. 19 Los Lunas 76 The Bernalillo Spartans (3-0) have started off hot this season winning again on Tuesday, upsetting the No. 19 Los Lunas Tigers (0-2). The Spartans were led by Brandon Saiz and his 42 points. The Tigers received 32 points from Ben Romero.
No. 20 Hope Christian 63, West Mesa 53: The Huskies of Hope (1-0) started the season with a big win over unranked West Mesa High School. The Huskies were led by 23 points from Tommy RIley. The Mustangs received 11 points from Eric Gutierrez.
No. 23 Alamogordo 60, Chaparral 37: The No. 23 Alamogordo Tigers (2-0) continue to improve under head coach Mike Day. The Tigers ran away with this game and look to prove their Top-25 ranking for another week. The Alamogordo Tigers took on the Chaparral Lobos on Tuesday Night and both team played each other very competitively heading into the final period of play with the score being 38-33 in favor of the Tigers. Then the Tigers took advantage of playing in the Tiger Pit and went on a 10-0 scoring run that would ultimately spark a huge 22-4 run to end the game. Tyler Day lead the way for the Tigers with a game high 22 points, also helping the Tiger cause was T.J. Jones who had 14 points of his own.
Morairty Pintos 29, Los Alamos Hilltoppers 24:
The Morairty Pintos and the Los Alamos Hilltoppers would battle it out tooth and nail on Tuesday Night despite the less then amazing shooting of both teams, as both teams relied upon tough defense and crucial offensive rebounds. The Pintos would walk away victorious but with still a lot to work on. Leading the way for Morairty was Jake Flemming, and Cody Striker who both had 8 points.
Grants Pirates 76, Farmington Scorpions 73 (OT) :
The Grants Pirates took on the Farmington Scorpions on Tuesday Night as the action seemed to never cease in this high octane match-up. The Pirates were able to pull out the win thanks to defense and causing Farmington to create some crucial turnovers down the stretch. Though both teams played will it was Grants who emerged victorious in a ver very close game that could have went either way.
Miyamura Patriots 69, Piedra Vista Panthers 68 :
The Miyamura Patriots and the Piedra Vista Panthers clashed on Tuesday night as the two teams squared off for what would be a very competitive district game early on in the season. The Patriots would take advantage of a 13 point lead going into the final period of play to hold off the last minute comeback by the Panthers.
Cloudcroft 46, Corona 26:
The Cloudcroft Bears would play the role of visitor on Tuesday Night, as they played the Hosting Corona Cardinals, the Bears would also play the role of spoiler as they ended the Cards night on a sour note winning 46-26 on Corona's home court. The Bears are now 2-2 on the year and will host Lovington for their next game on Saturday afternoon.
Girls Box Score Recaps
Las Cruces 62, Tornillo Texas 23 - Girls :
The Lady Bulldawgs faced off against Tornillo Texas on Tuesday night and would win impressively following a totla team effort as ten players scored for the Bulldawgs, however it was Graizon Alaniz's 11 points and Alyssa de Rouen's 10 that paved the way for Las Cruces on the night.
Mayfield 53, EP Burges, Texas 32:
The Lady Trojans went on the Road to take on EP Burges Texas and would end up routing them as the Lady Trojans would remain undefeated at 5-0 on the season. Leading the way for the Mayfield Lady Trojans was Daeshi McCants who had 18 points and also contributing was Audrey Oliver with 10 points.
Grants 50, Piedra Vista 38 - Girls :
The Grants Lady Pirates and the Piedra Vista Lady Panthers would square off on Tuesday Night in Farmington and would mark the home opener for the Lady Panthers despite already being 5 games deep into the young season. The Pirates would spoil the Ceremony as they came to do business and forced Piedra Vista to commit 31 turnovers in the game.
Shiprock 53, Kirtland Central 35 - Girls :
The Shiprock Lady Chiefs went to battle against long time foe the Kirtland Central Broncos, and n Tuesday night the spotlight belonged to Taylor Henderson who last year was with Kirtland Central as they won the 4-A state championship. This year she is with Shiprock and already making her presence felt for the Lady Chiefs as they won in impressive fashion on Tuesday night. Taylor Henderson lead all scores with 21 points on the night.
Santa Fe High 74, Atrico Heritage 45 - Girls :
The Santa Fe High Demonettes played the roll of visitor on Tuesday night as they took on the Hosting Atrisco Heritage lady Jaguars. The Demonettes found a nice flow offensively, being unselfish with the ball accumulating 22 total team assists and would ultimately end up running away with this one as they led 67-29 entering the 4th qtr. Leading the way for the Demonettes was Kayla Herrera and Sabrina Lozada -Cabbage with 14 points each.
Tularosa 59, Dexter 43 - GIrls :
The Tularosa Lady Wildcats played host to the Dexter Demonettes on Tuesday Night and would end up winning in decisive fashion finding their rhythm early from inside and outside the arch. Avian Garcia and Kyanne Kowatch would both pour in 16 points for the lady Wildcats to help their teams earn the victory.
Corona 76, Cloudcroft 46 - Girls:
The Cloudcroft lady Bears had a rough time on Tuesday night against the Corona Lady Cardinals, The Lady Cards got it going early and never looked back.
Carlsbad 47, Goddard 31 - Girls :
The Carlsbad CaveGirls played host to the Goddard Lady Rockets on Tuesday Nigh at would start the season off on with a win, but also a cause for concern as the Cavegirls would accumulate far to many fouls for John Zumbrum head Carlsbad coaches liking. The win however is a nice one considering it is the first game of the year and it helps get all the opening game jitters out. Look for the Cavegirls to continue to make noise this season. Carlsbad had a three way tie for leading scorer on the night, as Shalie McCalister, Hannah Johns and Zuriah Leyva all had 9 points a piece.
Clovis 50, Amarillo Palo Duro, Texas 46, OT - Girls :
The Clovis Lady Cats Would go on the road and take on Amarillo Palo Duro Texas on TUeday night and would get an intriguing matchup that would take the Lady Cats' to the brink as the two teams needed overtime to settle the score. The Lady Cats would prove victorious and pick up their first win of the season. The Lady Wildcats were lead by Danni Williams who finished with a game high 22 points.
Clovis 50, Palo Duro 46
Corona 70, Cloudcroft 46
Mountainair 42, Estancia 36,
Hobbs 45, Roswell 41
Los Lunas 51, Del Norte 21
Laguna Acoma 64, Zuni 52
St. Pius X 64, Manzano 31
Mora 35, Bosque Prep 28
Rio Rancho 36, Highland 31
Shiprock 53, Kirtland 35
Las Cruces 62, Tornillo TX 23
Cleveland 50, Onate 46
Grants 50, Piedra Vista 38
Pojoaque 56, Socorro 53
Santa Teresa 44, Artesia 39
West Las Vegas 78, Santa Rosa 32