Big 2nd quarter boosts Bears
La Cueva earns win at Manzano
The pursuit of the Eldorado Eagles in District 2-6A boys basketball began in earnest Tuesday night.
Is anybody in this district equipped to take them down over the next few weeks? Among the chasing pack, the La Cueva Bears could emerge as the biggest threat.
The Bears took the lead late in the first half Tuesday at Manzano, then held off the Monarchs — multiple times — in the second half for a 70-65 road victory in a 2-6A opener.
“This is a great win, especially being on the road,” said La Cueva coach Frank Castillo.
Castillo earned his 698th career win. He’ll go for victory No. 699 on Saturday night against Santa Fe.
“We kind of got off to a little bit of a rough start, but we’re starting to jell really well together,” said senior guard Cristian Ramirez, who scored 17 points, including 10 in a pivotal second quarter for La Cueva.
Ramirez and fellow senior guard Tyler Aeilts combined for 16 of their 35 points in that second quarter, when La Cueva outscored Manzano 24-14.
The Bears (10-5, 1-0) trailed almost the entire first half. A bucket by Derek Aeilts put them in front 33-31 with 1:17 to go in the half and La Cueva never trailed again.
But Manzano certainly nipped at the Bears’ heels throughout the second half. And the Monarchs even pulled to 55-54 on two Dakota Powell free throws.
The irony of this play was this: Powell got hit with a technical foul — on the play in which he was fouled. He had missed a layup as he was fouled and, clearly unhappy with himself for not finishing, slapped his hand against the padding behind the basket. That drew the technical, much to the chagrin of Manzano and coach Dominick Romero.
Ramirez hit two technical free throws at the other end with 4:06 to go in the game, and then Lawrence Calais got free for a layup at the 3:46 mark, making that a four-point trip for La Cueva and a 59-54 lead.
“That was huge,” Castillo said.
“The kid was showing a little bit of emotion, but at himself, not about a call, not disrespecting the opponent. But that was a big swing in the game,” Romero said.
The Monarchs continued to push even after this exchange, but never could make up all of that deficit. Derek Aeilts was 6-of-6 from the line in the final 25 seconds to secure the win.
Tyler Aeilts led the Bears with 18 points. His sophomore brother scored 10, as did Calais.
Manzano (8-7, 0-1) was hampered throughout by free throws. The Monarchs finished just 11 out of 22, and another attempt was erased by a lane violation.
“I think it’s wide open, but it’s a very competitive district with a lot of very good teams,” Romero said.
La Cueva went 13 of 18 from the stripe.
Eric Sonnenberg led Manzano with 14 points, one of five Monarchs in double figures.
Also in 2-6A on Tuesday, Eldorado battered Clovis 70-29 and Sandia fell 37-27 to Santa Fe.
Girls
WEST MESA 47, HIGHLAND 40 (2 OT): At Highland, the Mustangs finally pulled away from the Hornets in the second OT as they won a District 4-6A opener.
Junior guard Espi Varoz had 14 points to lead West Mesa (13-2).
Freshman guard Cailee Crawford had a game-high 20 points for Highland.
West Mesa shot only two free throws in regulation, but attempted 12 in the two OT sessions.
Also from 4-6A on Tuesday night, Albuquerque High routed Rio Grande 68-24. LOS LUNAS 54, RIO RANCHO 34: At Los Lunas, Hayley Torres had a teamhigh 18 points for the Tigers in an impressive win over the 6A Rams. Mica Jenrette added 16 points for the Tigers (16-2).
Kamirah Decker led Rio Rancho (13-4) with 17 points.