Payback puts Tigers in first place in 5-5A
LOS LUNAS — Four days and a change in venue made all the difference for the Los Lunas Tigers.
On Saturday night in Santa Fe, the Demons pounded Los Lunas by 20 points. On Wednesday night, in a showdown for first place in District 5-5A, the Tigers earned crucial payback with a never-in-doubt, 67-51 boys basketball victory.
“Up there, they had a nice little game plan for us, and they came out and punched us in the face, figuratively, and we didn’t respond very well,” Los Lunas coach Travis Julian said. “We challenged our guys to return the favor.”
They did. The 10th-ranked Tigers (6-1 overall and in 5-5A) raced to a 14-4 lead against the sixthranked Demons (6-3, 5-2). For the final three quarters, Los Lunas did not lead by fewer than eight.
The victory leaves the Tigers in control of 5-5A, with three league games remaining for both teams. Only the district champion is assured of a berth in the state tournament, so the Demons are going to need some help.
Senior guard Josiah Navarro was outstanding for the Tigers, scoring 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-5 in the third quarter. He was a sparkling 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
“When he’s the best player for us, he’s the best player on the court, and we’re the best team on
the court when he’s playing like that,” Julian said.
Los Lunas shot a solid 54.3% from the field (25-46).
“We had to start strong and stay strong. We got strong, but it was a little too late,” Santa Fe coach Zack Cole said. “We knew we were gonna get the best shot from Los Lunas, they play really well at home.”
The Demons started fast in the last meeting, but couldn’t overcome the Tigers’ hot start Wednesday.
Los Lunas led by 15 (25-10) early in the second quarter, and although the Demons had chipped away to get within nine just before halftime, Navarro buried a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds to go for a 33-21 halftime lead.
Santa Fe made its first of four 3s in the third quarter as it tried to come back, but Los Lunas was just as effective at the offensive end with Navarro scoring 12 in that period.
“We weren’t as prepared (Saturday night) as we were tonight,” said Navarro. “And it was our home court, and we always have to defend our home court.”
Los Lunas on Friday has another key 5-5A game, at third-place Capital (4-2, 4-2).
LOS LUNAS 67, SANTA FE 51 SANTA FE (6-3, 5-2 in 5-5A): Cruz Martinez 13, Jaiden Black 6, Cody Garcia 7, P.J. Lovato 13, Elefio Benavidez 7, Carlos Quintana 5. Totals 18 11-17 51.
LOS LUNAS (6-1, 6-1): Josiah Navarro 25, Josh Murphy 4, Ezra Guest 9, Joel Hernandez 5, Jalin Holland 12, Eric Aragon 5, Geleio Griego 4, Hadley Beaty 3. Totals 25 8-12 67. Santa Fe 8 13 19 11 — 51 Los Lunas 18 15 23 11 — 67 3-point goals: SF 4 (Benavidez 2, Garcia, Quintana); LL 9 (Navarro 5, Guest, Holland, Aragon, Beaty). Total fouls: SF 14; LL 17.