Robertson rallies against rival West Las Vegas
Nothing can better test a basketball team than a good rivalry game, especially in district play.
The Las Vegas Robertson Lady Cardinals got one Saturday night against crosstown rival West Las Vegas, and a crucial 20-9 scoring run late in the game helped Robertson to a 66-50 win in Michael Marr Gymnasium in a District 2-4A girls basketball grudge match.
Robertson (16-3 overall, 2-0 in 2-4A) appeared to be in control, building a 37-23 lead at the half, but the Lady Dons (13-6, 1-1) used a 14-6 spurt in the third quarter to cut that margin to 43-37 with 2:13 left on a Briana Marquez 3-pointer. That was when leadership reared its head in the huddle after the third, which saw Robertson hold a 49-39 edge.
“[Sophomore wing] Tessa Ortiz, she just she got on the girls about what they needed to do, and they really responded,” Lady Cardinals head coach Leroy Barela said.
Sophomore point guard Maria Barela got the message loud and clear, she scored six points during a 15-7 scoring run that helped the Lady Cardinals build the lead back up to 64-46 and settle the matter.
Barela finished with 14 points, while Alianza Darley led the way with 18. Angelica Montoya added 14 points and Jazmyne Jenkins had 12.
TAOS 36, ST. MICHAEL’S 29
The Lady Horsemen were within 18-16 after three quarters in a 2-4A game in Otero Gymnasium, but turnovers and poor free-throw shooting hurt them down the stretch.
St. Michael’s (8-11, 0-2) had 26 turnovers overall, and head coach Martin Esquibel pointed to three missed free throws in the final quarter that proved to be crucial as the Lady Tigers pulled away in the final few minutes.
“It’s just a tough loss, with the missed free throws and the turnovers,” Esquibel said. “Those plagued us early in the season, and they reared their ugly heads again.”
Aaliyah Quintana led Taos (7-10, 1-1) with 14 points, while Jody Gormley paced St. Michael’s with eight.
ABQ. HOPE CHRISTIAN 42, POJOAQUE VALLEY 37
The Elkettes were eight minutes away form a big nondistrict road win in Barry Ehlert Gym, but the host Lady Huskies (9-9) held them to just four points to rally from a 33-26 deficit through three quarters.
Shania Thronas had 15 points for the Elkettes, while Haley Valencia led the Lady Huskies with 14.
SFIS 70, WINGATE 39
The Lady Braves (15-4) outscored Wingate (4-15) 27-6 in the second quarter to build a 43-17 lead at the break of a nondistrict game in the Pueblo Pavilion. Leanna Lewis led SFIS with 20 points, Hunter Garcia added 18, while Iris Emery and Franki Chavez each scored 10.
PECOS 70, RATON 45
The Lady Panthers (13-3) improved to 2-0 in 3-3A play with an easy win over the Lady Tigers (3-11, 0-1) in Raton.
Cassie Muller had 20 points, while Trinity Herrera had another double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
BOYS CAPITAL 52, ABQ. DEL NORTE 46
The Jaguars appeared to be on their way to a convincing win over the Knights to open their 2-5A season in Edward A. Ortiz Memorial Gymnasium, but Del Norte outscored them 15-9 in the third quarter to cut a 31-20 halftime deficit to 40-35 heading into the fourth.
Capital (16-3) didn’t help assuage fears of an upset by missing seven straight free throws early in the final quarter, but Del Norte (6-12, 1-1) could get no closer than 48-43.
T.J. Sanchez led the Jaguars with 22 points, while Matt Smith added 17.
PECOS 76, RATON 28
The Panthers (15-3) jumped out to a 26-6 lead after quarter and upped it to 41-15 at the half of a 3-3A game in Raton. Pecos improved to 2-0 in district play
Mario Archuleta led the Panthers with 19 points, Carlos Cordova added 16 and Ismeal Villegas had 10.