Boys Games:
No. 3 Texico 71, No. 14 Dulce 58
The Hawks hung tough early, taking a lead in what would have been the biggest upset of the weekend.
After the first quarter, Dulce led 21-18, despite committing 11 turnovers. But foul trouble started to catch up to the Hawks in the middle quarters. Team leader Bob Harrison, Jr. had limited minutes as he battled foul trouble much of the game.
But coach Erik Petago praised their “never-die attitude” as they stayed strong in the second half against Texico’s tough press. Though they never closed the gap within seven points, they kept the game mostly within reach through the second half, but could never break through.
Dulce struggled often against Texico guard Jahvon Askew, who scored 24 points in the game.
Damian Vicenti and Ivan Harrison, who also fouled out in the game, both scored 15 to lead Dulce, while JD Gonzales and James Johnson also scored in double figures.
Dulce graduates four starters, but expects to return with a strong team including Ivan Harrison and Johnson, who dunked for the first time of the season in a big putback over two defenders.
“I do expect them to be in Albuquerque next time,” Petago said.
No. 1 Peocs 87, No. 16 McCurdy 52
The Bobcats had a challenge in their state tournament game, facing the top overall team, and one that could be the best in not just 2A but potentially if they played in 3A as well. McCurdy would have to turn around what was a 38-point loss back in December.
But the Panthers got off to a hot start and practically ran McCurdy off the court.
Pecos led 25-11 by the end of the first quarter, and 56-28 by halftime. They finished the game with another 31 points in the second half to win by 35.
“We fell behind early and just could never really get ourselves back into the game,” McCurdy coach Ernesto Espinoza said.
Senior star Jodaiah Padilla crushed the Bobcats with 25 points, 21 in the first half and 13 in just the first quarter, outscoring McCurdy by himself in the first eight minutes. Ryan Montoya led the Bobcats with 18 points, while Lucas Martinez scored all 16 of his points in the first half.
McCurdy finished with a strong year to reach the tournament after starting just 5-11, they finished the regular season above .500, and at one point won 10 of 12 games.
“The fact that we did well in the district and made it to the tournament, I hope just starts us further along for next season,” Espinoza said.
No. 2 Highland 84, No. 15 Pojoaque 41
Pojoaque held the game close for the first few minutes, but it did not last long. The hot-shooting Hornets hit 12 3-pointers in the game to advance to the quarterfinals.
Highland led 25-12 by the end of the first quarter, and 39-18 at halftime on their way to a 43-point win.
Sophomore guard Jesus Licon scored 25 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including six 3-pointers to lead the Hornets to the win.
The Elks made the postseason for the first time in six years, and were led by a fantastic effort all season by senior Derek Sanchez.
Girls Games:
No. 1 Escalante 63, No. 16 Lordsburg 30
It took a bit of time for Escalante to pull away from the No. 16 seed in their state first-round game. By halftime, they were up by seven points.
But at the start of the fourth quarter, they were up by 14 points. And they outscored the Mavericks 21-2 in the final quarter, scoring the last 17 points of the game to light up the scoreboard at the end.
Escalante advances to the quarterfinal for the second-straight year. (Coverage of the Lobos’ quarterfinal game against No. 9 Clayton appears in this week’s front section.)
No. 2 Mesa Vista 59, No. 15 Eunice 43
The Trojans started hot out of the gates in a return-to-form for a first-round victory.
Within minutes, Mesa Vista was out to a 10-point lead, and they were up 17-5 after a quarter. After allowing a Eunice basket, they scored 10-straight poitns to gain a 20-point first-half lead.
One slow stretch in the third quarter let Eunice get back within 11 points, but Mesa Vista answered with a 19-2 run, including 14 straight points, to stretch the lead to 28 points in the fourth quarter before subbing in the bench.
Amarissa Quintana and Tana Lopez both scored 15 points to lead Mesa Vista; Lopez did her damage early including three first-quarter 3-pointers, and Quintana took over in the second half, where she scored 14 of her 15 points. (See B1 for coverage of Mesa Vista’s quarterfinal against No. 7 Texico).