Pojoaque senior drops 53 points
Pojoaque Valley senior Derek Sancdhez scored 53 points, the second-most by anyone in New Mexico this season, in a 95-63 win over Aztec (3-13) on Jan. 10.
Sanchez played sparingly in the second quarter, as the Elks (12-5) rotated various players, but caught fire late in the game, as Pojoaque scored 55 total points in the second half.
The senior guard finished 21-for-35 from the field, 3-for-9 on 3-pointers and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, with most of his shots coming on drives to the basket.
Pojoaque coach Jason Mossman said he was excited about the attention Sanchez’s achievement would bring to the program, which is potentially the favorite headed into district play.
The Elks lost 62-46 to Robertson (13-2) on Jan. 13, then the next day played a tough game in a two-point loss at Capital (11-4).
Pojoaque trailed by nine in the final minute, but quickly scored seven straight points. Capital later missed two free throws while leading by two with 11 seconds remaining, giving Pojoaque a chance for the win. Sanchez found a look on a finger roll from the elbow, but hit the rim and watched time expire while fighting for a rebound.
Lobos hit buzzer beater for the win
Down two points with 15 seconds left, Escalante struggled to find a good look while the clock ticked down. But then, Jayden Salazar slipped open for a perfect 3-point look, which he drained for a 55-54 win in overtime against Sanford, Colo. (3-7), then Greysen Horan jumped right onto his back.
The Lobos (9-6) had trailed by 13 points in the third quarter before coming back to force the extra period.
Escalante starts district play on Thursday at home against Questa (2-14) while on a three-game win streak, and winning seven of their last eight games.
Peñasco slows, then starts again
Peñasco girls basketball (8-8) had a pair of tough losses, before rebounding with an 85-17 win over McCurdy (0-10) on Monday.
The offense slowed in a 58-40 loss to Los Alamos (9-6) at home on Jan. 12, then two days later had a disappointing loss at Pecos (9-6), 35-29.
The Panthers continue district play on Thursday when they host Mora (5-9).
Escalante girls get hot, then sputter
The Lady Lobos (9-6) scored a season-high 71 points in a return-to-form win against Cuba (4-11) on Dec. 10, with that number also the most that the Rams have allowed all season. Emma Maestas (15 points) led four scorers in double figures for Escalante, which included a 24-point second quarter.
Escalante scored 70 or more points 12 times a year ago, but have struggled to find the same spark this season.
But they followed up the performance with a season-low 33 points in a loss at Sanford, Colo. (6-4), their fourth straight loss against the Mustangs.
The Lobos have now lost three of their last four games, and start district play on Thursday against Questa (6-9).
Sundevils hot to start ’23
Española Valley went to Shiprock and came away with a 33-24 win over the Chieftains (4-12) to gain their fifth-straight win, including three in a row since the new year.
The win streak for the Sundevils (8-9) includes a win over district rival Taos (5-11) on Dec. 29 at the St. Michael’s Tournament, as the Sundevils gear up for a competitive district, with no teams currently in the top 10 on MaxPreps rankings.
Española starts its district play against Pojoaque Valley (6-10) on Thursday at home.
Sammy Vivian Invite
Three Sundevils took first place at the Sammy Vivian Classic wrestling tournament in Socorro while facing strong competition from around the state.
Landon Atencio won first place over a strong Miyamura opponent at 114 pounds. Cruz Sandoval won first place at 139 pounds, and Kyle Coffeen cruised through the 152-pound bracket, winning the first-place match in 21 seconds. Noah Maez won third place at 145 pounds, losing in the semifinals on a 6-2 decision but securing pins in three other matches.
Adryan Triana of Pojoaque Valley won first place in 172 pounds with four pins. Ben Duran won third place at 133 pounds, and Alan Padilla was third at 160.