Pojoaque High School girls basketball coach Lanse Carter submitted his resignation June 1 just one season after leading the Elkettes to back-to-back Class AAA state titles.
“My wife and I have a son coming in July,” Carter said. “I just want to spend more time at home with my family.”
Carter compiled a record of 114-40 in five seasons at Pojoaque. The Elkettes won state championships in 2008 and 200h. Pojoaque went undefeated and established a school record with 31 victories in the second of those seasons.
“We appreciate everything he’s done for us,” athletic director Matt Martinez said. ‘I believe it’s a good decision because he’s doing it at a good time.”
Carter attributes his success to several factors.
“The kids in this community grew up watching winning basketball and have winning basketball in their mentality,” Carter said. “Matt Martinez does a lot of things that help you run your program and he understands the dynamics of the community.”
The Elkettes’ 35-game winning streak was broken Dec. 12 by the Española Valley Lady Sundevils. The Elkettes turned around what was looking like a down season in January when they reeled off seven straight wins in District 2AAA. They finished the regular season tied with Santa Fe Indian School for the District 2AAA title and lost a one-game playoff for first place. Indian School went on to win the Class AAA state championship. Pojoaque lost in the Class AAA state quarterfinals and finished 19-11 on the season.
“I think we really surprised people how we played in the district season,” Carter said. “Competing against the coaches in this district makes you better.”
Carter said he had a great staff that helped contribute to Pojoaque’s success. He did not pick a favorite as to whom he would like to see replace him.
“You always like to see one of your assistants apply and get it,” Carter said. “It should be someone who has experience, knows the area and will work with our youth.”
Carter said that he realized he needed a break from coaching when his thoughts turned to things other than basketball.
“Basketball wasn’t forefront in my mind,” said Carter, who has a 3-year-old daughter. “I was thinking about how my daughter’s day at day care and how is my wife feeling. (Pojoaque) needs someone fully committed to basketball and right now that’s not the case for me.”
Carter appreciated that he did not have to attend the seventh annual basketball jamboree held last week at the school. He would normally be coaching the Elkettes during the event.
“June used to be all basketball and by July you were so tired you just wanted to take it easy,” Carter said. “Before you know it, it’s time to start teaching again.’
Carter will continue as a math teacher at Pojoaque High School.
Martinez opened the position Monday. He hopes to have a new coach by the end of June.
Martinez has taken over Carter’s coaching duties until a new coach is hired. Martinez was head coach when Pojoaque won its first girls state championship in 1998, going 28-0 that season. “It’s been 12 years,” Martinez said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”