The Pojoaque Elkettes defeated three district opponents in six days to thrust themselves into a tie with Santa Fe Indian School for first place in District 2AAA with a 5-1 district record.
After falling to 8-6 on the season after a 55-48 loss Jan. 12 to Española Valley, the two-time defending Class AAA state champions have won seven of their last eight games, including their last four. The winning streak culminated Feb. 6 with a 40-22 home victory over St. Michael’s.
“I don’t want to take too much credit for it,” Pojoaque coach Lanse Carter said. “Credit the girls.”
With just two starters returning from last year’s undefeated team, it took a while for the Elkettes to jell, but it has happened.
“It’s the communication on the court with each other,” senior Dionna Montoya, one of the returning starters, said. “It’s like a sixth man on the court.”
Montoya got Pojoaque started against the Lady Horsemen, draining a three-pointer. That started a 12-0 Pojoaque run that Kim Baros finished with a three-pointer to end the first quarter. Pojoaque led 17-10 at halftime.
“We kinda just got our chemistry with each other,” senior Marissa Romero, the other returning starter, said.
The Elkettes extended their lead to 30-13 at the end of the third quarter as the Horsemen struggled to score. The lead grew to 20 points after Baros’ three-pointer to start the fourth quarter.
In contrast to the easy victory over St. Michael’s, Pojoaque’s Feb. 5 road win over Robertson was a nail-biter.
“(Robertson) was up by seven when Marissa hit a three-pointer,” Carter said. ”That’s when we smelled blood.”
Freshman Cheyenne Cordova nailed a three-pointer to put Pojoaque within one point of the Cardinals with 1:30 left to play. Cordova then drained two free throws to give Pojoaque a 37-34 lead with a minute left.
Robertson scored with 30 seconds left to play, then tied up Montoya to regain possession of the ball with nine seconds left to play. The Cardinals had three shots at the basket, but none of them fell, giving Pojoaque a 37-36 victory.
The Elkettes started their three-game district winning streak Feb. 1 with a 49-43 road victory over West Las Vegas, then the top ranked team in Class AAA. Pojoaque trailed 22-21 at halftime, but outscored West Las Vegas 12-9 in the third quarter and 16-12 in the fourth quarter for the victory. Montoya led the Elkettes with 13 points, while Romero had 12 on four three-pointers and Kiana Vigil had 11 for Pojoaque.
The Elkettes face Santa Fe Indian School Thursday (2/8) in Pojoaque. The Lady Braves dealt the Elkettes their only loss in District 2AAA Jan. 22 in Santa Fe. The winner of this game will take over sole possession of first place in District 2AAA. Pojoaque is ranked eighth and Santa Fe Indian School fourth in the Class AAA statewide coaches poll.