The Pojoaque Elks prepared for their showdown this Friday with St. Michaels with a pair of District 2AAA victories last week in Pojoaque over Santa Fe Indian School and West Las Vegas.
The Elks had fallen behind the Santa Fe Indian School Braves 11-4 Feb. 12 when Elk coach Joey Trujillo put sophomore Luke Salazar into the lineup. Salazar responded with six straight points, and Pojoaque rallied for an 11-2 run that gave the Elks a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Pojoaque added 21 points in the second quarter and led 38-24 at halftime. Salazar had 11 points, as did Justin Trujillo, who also came off the bench and made three-pointers in the first half.
In the second half, Salazar added 10 more points to finish with 21 as the Elks rolled to a 66-50 victory and improved to 6-1 in District 2AAA and 15-8 overall.
That Salazar and Trujillo didn’t start is not a slight to their abilities, but an example of Pojoaque’s strength — depth.
“I have to pick five to start, but I’m playing nine consistently,” Trujillo said. “The players have learned to accept their roles.”
Since Trujillo started substituting players en masse at the start of the District 2AAA season, Pojoaque has put together a 7-1 district record despite entering district competition with a five-game losing streak.
Pojoaque’s players decided to shave their heads in a display of team unity. Trujillo now sports a shaved head as well, but he says it happened because he lost a game of “Horse” to Pojoaque athletic director Matt Martinez where the loser had to shave his head.
The only blemish on Pojoaque’s district record is a 57-47 overtime loss to St. Michaels Feb. 4 at Pojoaque. The Elks wrap up their regular district season with a rematch against the Horsemen Friday in Santa Fe.
“The kids want to play St. Michaels for the district championship,” Trujillo said.
If the Elks were overlooking West Las Vegas when they faced the Dons Feb. 14 at Pojoaque, West Las Vegas’ 6-foot-5-inch Adrian Rivera quickly spoiled the view.
Rivera buried a pair of three-pointers and scored 10 points in the first quarter to give the Dons a 19-16 lead. West Las Vegas extended that lead to 23-16 in the second quarter before Pojoaque’s B.J. Trujillo scored inside and added a fee throw for a three-point play.
Senior Orlando Trujillo added Pojoaque’s next seven points, and the Elks finally took the lead 29-28 after a deep three-pointer by Michael Perez. Pojoaque led 31-30 at halftime.
The Dons regained the lead in the third quarter behind eight points by Rivera and held it until a pair of free throws by Brian Montoya gave Pojoaque a 49-48 lead. The Elks led 51-50 going into the fourth quarter.
The Dons surged ahead 55-51 as careless passing by Pojoaquqe led to a pair of turnovers. The Elks tied the score at 56-56 after a steal and layup by Luke Salazar, but West Las Vegas came back to lead 60-56, despite the Dons missing four free throw attempts that could have made the margin wider.
Pojoaque’s prospects were dimming when point guard Orlando Trujillo fouled out with 2:30 left to play, but Perez and Salazar stepped up for Pojoaque at the right time, according to coach Trujillo. Pojoaque came back to take a 64-63 lead and it looked like the Dons would go down to defeat with the Elks leading 67-65 with 2.6 seconds left to play.
The Dons’ Derek Gold launched a long pass downcourt that Rivera snagged out of the air and he fired in a 12-foot jumper to tie the score at the buzzer.
“(Rivera) hit a heck of a shot,” coach Trujillo said.
The Dons scored first in overtime, but Pojoaque’s defense began to take its toll on West Las Vegas. The Dons committed several key turnovers. A pair of free throws by Christian Baca gave the Elks a 75-71 lead with 40 seconds left to play.
A pair of free throws by Montoya finished off the Dons and gave Pojoaque a 79-73 overtime victory. Montoya has likely seen the last of his playing days on the junior varsity after going 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the overtime period and finishing with 11 points.
“I listen to what my coach tells me and that gives me confidence (to shoot free throws),” Montoya said.
Pojoaque faced Raton, who is 0-7 in District 2AAA, Tuesday.
The Elks will take on St. Michaels with the District 2AAA regular season championship on the line.