When Cindy Roybal joined the Elkettes in the locker room, she had never seen the team so exuberant.
“It seemed like they won state,” Roybal said. “They’re not used to this. They’re not used to winning. They’re not used to beating Española. They’re not used to beating anybody.”
The Pojoaque Valley Elkettes (9-10, 1-0 in district) started basketball district play with a road win over District 2-4A’s top-ranked team, defeating Española Valley (10-9, 0-1) 36-20. Their defense stopped the Sundevils for the entire game.
Late in the third quarter, the Sundevils took their only lead in the game on back-to-back scores from Hailey Renteria. Marisa Martinez answered right back with a 3-pointer to take back the lead.
“And then it was goodbye,” Roybal said. “We’re off to the races.”
From there, Pojoaque not only did not relinquish the lead, they did not let up a single point. The Elkettes scored the game’s final 17 points, blanking Española in the fourth quarter.
Roybal did not want to reveal the secret of their zone defense. But she said that during the week, they would practice with five players guarding 12.
Before the game, the Sundevils were the No. 10 team in 4A in MaxPreps, and were just outside the top 10 in the coaches’ poll, both best in the district, with Los Alamos coming up close behind.
“How can you come into the number one’s house, and beat them by (16 points) and not get some kind of recognition?” Roybal asked.
The Elkettes were without leading scorer Jazmine Valdez who missed the game with a back injury. Freshman Monique Arrieta filled in as the primary ball handler and the team’s top scorer with nine points. Marisela Bowie dominated the boards and scored six points.
The free throws were the difference in the game. Pojoaque shot 19-of-28, including 8-of-10 in the second half. Española got to the line just six times, and made three of them. Roybal said the team all makes 30 to 60 free throws every practice.
The Elkettes next play at Taos (4-14, 0-0) on Saturday. The Sundevils host Moriarty (4-14, 0-1) on Saturday.
“It’s so exciting to see these girls so happy,” Roybal said. “I can’t even tell you how proud I am of them.”