Frosh Medina sparks Mustangs on road
Metro-area leagues begin district play
The high school basketball coaches in Albuquerque do not sit down to vote on an all-freshmen team at season’s end.
But if they did, West Mesa’s Eloy Medina might be the leading vote-getter.
Medina poured in jumpers from all over the Highland gym on Tuesday night, leading the Mustangs with 24 points as they opened District 4-6A play with a resounding 63-37 beatdown of the host Hornets.
West Mesa started the season 2-8, but has won three of its last four — the only loss was a near up set of Eldorado — to improve to 5-9 overall.
“I think we can compete with anybody in our district,” Mustangs coach Shonn Schroer said. “I think we’re right in the middle of it, myself.”
On Thursday, his team plays host to Atrisco Heritage; the Jaguars beat Valley 53-50 on Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s West Mesa performance was very high functioning at both ends for West Mesa.
The Mustangs shot over 55 percent from the floor, and they were consistently knocking down mid-range and 3-point shots over the Highland defense.
Point guard Jose Vigil scored 15 points, Brandon Bouldin had a dozen. But it was Medina who was stroking in jumpers from all over, including a nearly 30-foot shot from the top of the key in a third quarter where West Mesa pulled away.
“It was probably the best game we’ve played (this season),” Medina said. “We were all on.”
West Mesa had an 11-0 run to end the first quarter, with Bouldin scoring the final seven as the Mustangs led 22-14. The lead was 30-24 at halftime. West Mesa got separation in the third quarter, opening up a 19-point cushion at 48-29 over Highland (6-9, 0-1).
“The last couple of weeks, we’ve been playing really good,” Schroer said. “These guys are starting to peak at the right time.”
The Mustangs made quick work of Highland, and that is meant literally. The game lasted barely an hour as the teams combined to shoot only eight free throws total. Highland had only one free-throw attempt in 32 minutes. — James Yodice ATRISCO HERITAGE 53, VALLEY 50: At Atrisco, the Jaguars rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Vikings in another 4-6A opener. Joziah Ramos led Atrisco Heritage with 20 points, including a handful of clutch free throws down the stretch. ALBUQUERQUE HIGH 66, RIO GRANDE 50: At Bulldog City, guard Randy Castillo paced AHS with 26 points. The Bulldogs visit Valley on Thursday. LA CUEVA 50, MANZANO 49: at La Cueva, Thomas Jenson had a team-best 15 points to lead the Bears in a District 2-6A opener.
ELDORADO 62, CLOVIS 37: In Clovis, the Eagles had six players with at least seven points in their 2-6A opening victory. ST. PIUS 60, GRANTS 47: In Grants, Brennan Myers’ 19 points led the Sartans in a road upset of the Pirates in both teams’ District 5-5A opener. HOPE CHRISTIAN 71, MORIARTY 48: In Moriarty, senior guard Marcus Medina had 17 points to pace the Huskies in their District 4-4A opener. SANDIA PREP 63, SFIS 49: In Santa Fe, Jack Henderson’s 29 points were tops for the visiting Sundevils (7-10, 1-0 5-4A).
Girls
LA CUEVA 82, MANZANO 43: At Manzano, four Bears were in double figures led by Delaney Markham’s 19 points, as La Cueva won its District 2-6A opener.
SANDIA 83, SANTA FE 56: In Santa Fe, Cara Liggins, Sapirah Broussard and Marisol Silva combined for 64 points in the 2-6A opener. ELDORADO 48, CLOVIS 25: At Eldorado, Sydney Candelaria had a team-best 15 points for the burnt orange in their 2-6A opener.