NMSD clinches outright district title

The curse is officially over. New Mexico School for the Deaf secured its first outright district title in 40 years with a 36-28 win over Coronado in a District 1-1A game in Gallina on Wednesday night. The Roadrunners (19-4 overall) improved to 6-1 with their district finale against Walatowa coming up Friday.

The Leopards set a deliberate pace, but which just merely slowed down the Roadrunners. Deven Thompson led the way with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks.

Bruce Brewer Jr. chipped in with nine points and Jacob Stevens grabbed nine rebounds to tie NMSD’s 6-foot-9 junior center for the team lead in that category.

“It wasn’t the best game, but we’re very happy,” Roadrunners head coach Letty Perez wrote in a text message. “A victory and a district title!”

Even better, the Roadrunners will be the host for the 1-1A championship game in next week’s district tournament.

ESPAÑOLA VALLEY 91, LOS ALAMOS 69

The Sundevils secured their first outright 2-5A crown in three seasons — not nearly the drought NMSD suffered through, but a great way to pad their résumé in anticipation of the state tournament.

“That was the whole focus tonight, just close it out,” said Española head coach James Branch. “Let’s not drag this out and make Saturday [against Albuquerque Del Norte] interesting.”

Española did just that, building a 19-6 lead after one quarter and taking a 42-25 advantage into the locker room at the half. This marked the third straight game the Sundevils broke the 90-point barriers, and six players broke double figures.

Ryan Trujillo had a team-high 17 points, Christian Fernandez added 14, J.P. Sena added 13, Azaziah Salazar scored 12 while Zach Mascarenas and Martin Gracia each had 10.

TIERRA ENCANTADA 59, DESERT ACADEMY 39

It was rarefied air for the Wildcats. They held a 23-21 lead at the half, but consistency once again hurt them in a nondistrict game in Christian Life Academy.

The Alacranes outscored Desert Academy 20-11 in the third quarter to take a 41-34 lead and held the Wildcat to just five points the rest of the way.

Damian Browne led Desert Academy (0-19) with 16 points, and Cyrus Curtis added 12.

Tierra Encantada (5-20) had Enrique Salazar score 15 points, and Noe Bencomo added 11.

POJOAQUE VALLEY 51, WEST LAS VEGAS 40

The Elkettes slowed down the Lady Dons’ perimeter game, thanks to their 3-2 zone defense in a 2-4A game in Ben Luján Gymnasium.

Pojoaque (20-3 ,6-1) didn’t allow West Las Vegas (16-9, 3-4) to reach double figures until the fourth quarter.

By that point, its lead was 41-34, and the Elkettes outscored their visitors 20-16 the rest of the way.

Michaela Martinez led the way with 15 points, while Dallas Archibald and Shania Thronas each added 11.

Jenna Bustos had 12 points on the strength of four 3s, but that paled in comparison to her 25-point performance that included seven triples in a 60-52 loss on Jan. 26.

The Elkettes take on Las Vegas Robertson (22-3, 7-0), which beat Taos 72-13 on Wednesday, on Saturday.