Pojoaque has a new identity this year.
The Elkettes are a scrappy team that dives for every loose ball and fights hard on defense.
“We’ve talked about that a lot,” said Pojoaque coach Cindy Roybal. “I told them, you have to be aggressive. And they’re learning.”
Pojoaque (5-4) finished third at their home Ben Lujan Tournament. The Elkettes are above .500, a strong start under new coach Roybal after three down years. Though Roybal was disappointed losing in the tournament for the first time in her coaching career (after winning six times), just three weeks into the season, Pojoaque is already showing improvements.
“Our chemistry’s definitely getting better,” said senior post Marisela Bowie.
Bowie has been one of the keys to this team’s strong play as Pojoaque’s leading rebounder.
All teams played a doubleheader on Friday after Thursday’s games were postponed due to snow and transportation issues. Pojoaque struggled a bit in the doubleheader, but Roybal would not use that as an excuse.
“That was very difficult, I was worried that was going to happen,” Roybal said. “If they think I’m bailing them out because they had two games, it’ll be easy for them to keep doing that.”
The Elkettes defeated Shiprock (5-4) in the first round 27-17 on Friday, going up 15-0 after one quarter. Allison Paytiamo led Pojoaque with nine points in that game.
Jasmine Valdez and Kaylee Martinez led Pojoaque with seven points each in their 32-21 semifinal loss to Dulce (5-4).
Pojoaque led early in that game, and were up 13-10 at halftime. But throughout the game, they struggled to get points on the board. By the end of the third quarter, Pojoaque trailed 21-19, and they scored just two points in the fourth quarter as Dulce won by 11.
“We were all pretty tired,” Bowie said. “It was a little rough that second game.”
In the third place game, against Capital (2-6), Pojoaque ultimately won 33-26. The two teams were tied after the first and second quarters. And they were still tied 17-17 late in the third quarter, before the Elkettes went on a run. They finished the third quarter with seven straight points, and made it 10 in a row to take a big lead early in the fourth.
“They just listened and did what they were told,” Roybal said. “I’ve been in this business long enough, I can make the adjustments. Ultimately, they have to do it. And they did.”
“There’s not an offense that I haven’t seen over my 45 years,” she continued. “There isn’t a defense I haven’t seen. So, if they just listen, and they adjust, we’re ok.”
The Elkettes had 15 of their 33 points from the free-throw line, and 10 of their 22 second-half points. Marisela Bowie led the team with eight points in that game, as the team’s defense shut down the Jaguars.
“We were doing good covering man, we were making sure that all their shots were occupied,” Bowie said. “No one was open, we made sure to cover everyone.”
Lauren Salazar and Bowie were named to the all-tournament team.
Pojoaque will also soon benefit from the return of Monique Arrieta, who expects to be back in about three weeks after an ankle injury in the team’s first game.
Pojoaque plays on Tuesday evening against Santa Fe Indian (5-3), and then is off until January.