The Pojoaque Elkettes remained undefeated after beating the Santa Fe Indian School Lady Braves 61-49 in a District 2AAA game Jan. 24 in Pojoaque.
The Elkettes are one of two teams, including boys and girls teams, that are still undefeated in the state. Magdalena girls basketball team is 16-0. The Elkettes’ ran their winning streak to 22 games if one includes last season’s run to the Class AAA state title.
“I think we are learning to deal with this record thing,” Elkettes head coach Lanse Carter said. “Win or lose every time we play we are trying to improve and get better. We need to play together and keep our composure tonight,”
Four Elkettes scored in double figures led by Marissa Romero who had 17 points, Dionna Montoya scored 15 points and Jacqueline Bartleson added 14 for Pojoaque.
“This is a huge game for us,” Carter said. “This is our biggest game up to now. Our district makes us better as it did last year.”
The first quarter told the story: Elkettes 23, Braves 10. The Elkettes put up a 14-2 run which included two three-pointers by Romero. The Lady Braves tried to catch up the remainder of the game.
“I put up the three pointers for the team and my dad,” Romero said. “It’s his birthday. I am happy they were going in. Once we got the lead our defense helped us stay ahead.”
The second quarter wasn’t much better for the Lady Braves as they were down 16 points going into half-time.
In the third quarter, the Lady Braves managed to bring the lead within 10 points, 48-38.
The Elkettes have been beating their opponents by an average margin of at least 20 points. Their closest game was against Española which lost by 11 points, and their widest margin was against Sandia Prep, who the Elkettes beat by 54 points.
During the fourth quarter, the Lady Braves closed the gap to eight points, but the Elkettes kept their composure.
“We played as a team and stayed composed pretty much throughout the game,” Montoya said.
Carter said the key factors in the win were his team’s rebounding margin, 26 to 16, and Pojoaque’s star point guard, Ellen Cruz, who registered seven assists, six rebounds and only two turnovers. Jenine Coriz had 13 points and April Johnston 12 for the Lady Braves.
Pojoaque is 2-0 in district play, while Santa Fe Indian fell to 1-1. The Elkettes and Lady Braves will meet again Feb. 11 in Santa Fe.