Eldorado unfazed by Sandia’s slowdown try
Give the Sandia Matadors credit for original thinking. On Saturday afternoon, with No. 2-ranked Eldorado visiting, Sandia controlled the opening tip, and then proceeded to hold the ball for two minutes.
“That was the strategy,” Eagles coach Roy Sanchez said. “Kind of a boring game, honestly.”
Sandia did control pace and keep Eldorado’s high-octane offense in check during this District 2-6A matchup. But the end result for the Eagles (13-2, 2-0 in 2-6A) was the same as it’s been for most of the last month, as Eldorado beat the Matadors 45-39 and extended its winning streak to eight games.
“Teams are gonna try different things against us, and we have to be mentally ready,” said Sanchez. “People will use different strategies.”
And it proved useful in the sense that the Matadors (7-9, 0-2) were in this game most of the way, the pace affording themselves a chance to win.
Mike Mounho led Eldorado with 16 points, which included four 3-pointers. Kameron Valencia added 14 for the Eagles.
LA CUEVA 75, SANTA FE 60: At La Cueva, Lawrence Calais and the Aeilts brothers, Tyler and Derek, combined for 59 points as the Bears got coach Frank Castillo his 699th career victory in a District 2-6A matchup.
Castillo will go for his 700th on Tuesday when the Bears (11-5, 2-0) visit Sandia.
MANZANO 55, CLOVIS 52: At Manzano, the Monarchs (9-7, 1-1 in 2-6A) edged the Wildcats (9-9, 0-2) behind 20 points from Eric Sonnenberg.
LOS LUNAS 60, BELEN 42: At Los Lunas, the Tigers (163, 1-0) had a big first half en route to a convincing District 5-5A win over the Eagles.
HOPE CHRISTIAN 57, N.M. MILITARY INSTITUTE 25: In Roswell, junior guard Johnny Nitafan had a team-best 16 points, and the Huskies (12-7, 2-0 in 4-4A) routed the Colts (2-10, 0-2). Hope has won five consecutive games.
Girls
LA CUEVA 72, SANTA FE 39: In Santa Fe, sophomore guard Kaya Ingram had a team-best 27 points, including five 3s, for the Bears (9-7, 2-0 in 2-6A).
ELDORADO 68, SANDIA 42: At Eldorado, three Eagles (13-2, 2-0 in 2-6A) were in double figures, led by Laney Lucero’s 13 points.
HIGHLAND 58, VOLCANO VISTA 50: At Highland, freshman point guard Cailee Crawford had a team-best 26 points for the Hornets (12-4) in a non-district win over the Hawks (8-8).