Elida’s mission to repeat begins well

Higher-seeded teams win quarters

BERNALILLO — Elida resumed its quest for an eighth consecutive state championship in good order, handling Cimarron 56-33 on Wednesday in a Class 1A girls quarterfinal contest at Bernalillo High.

Elida advances to play Des Moines today in semifinal action. Quemado faces Melrose. No. 1 ELIDA 56, No. 8 CIMARRON 33: Lacy Ferguson scored a team-high 16 points for Elida (23-7), which led 31-16 at halftime, then stifled Cimarron in a 17-3 third quarter. Kasyn Creighton added 13 points, aided by a 6-for-6 effort from the line. The Tigers made more free throws (20-for-34) than Cimarron (7-for-15) attempted.

Reina Arguello’s 17 points led Cimarron.

Clayton (1983-90) and Kirtland Central (1980-87) are the only two girls programs to have

reached eight in a row. No. 3 QUEMADO 52, No. 11

ROY/MOSQUERO 31: Quemado flipped the script in the second half, which began with a three-point lead. Siera Green led the Lady Eagles (21-6) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Mariesa Cohoe also had a double-double for Quemado with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Freshman Riley Clavel scored a game-high 20 points to lead Roy/Mosquero (16-11), also known as the Lady Blue. No. 4 DES MOINES 63, No. 5 CORONADO 47: Makenna Hittson did it all for Des Moines with 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, nine steals, and even seven turnovers — all team highs. Maryann Gonzales’ 10 points led Coronado, which trailed 38-15 at the half. No. 2 MELROSE 38, No. 7 GRADY 34: Landry Widner scored 12 points for Melrose (22-7), which defeated Grady for the fourth time. Elissa Martinez led Grady (17-12), which shot 21 percent from the field, with 13 points.