Dons win inaugural tournament title

The West Las Vegas Dons made their first Brian Gallegos Tournament a good one. They broke out to a 22-10 lead on Santa Rosa in the inaugural championship game Saturday night in Gillie Lopez Gymnasium, and went on to a 63-51 win to improve to 3-0.

The Dons’ defense was stout in the first half as it helped build a 34-18 lead.

The intensity waned slightly in the second half, but West Las Vegas head coach Clyde Sanchez felt it was a balanced effort overall.

“We came out a little hot shooting there, and we just settled down from there,” Sanchez said. “The kids came out and played tonight. We told them what was at stake and that it’s our tournament.”

John Balizan led the Dons’ attack with 24 points, while D.J. Byron added 14. Santa Rosa had all of its players score, but none reached double figures. Corey Padilla led the Lions (2-1) with eight points.

ESPAÑOLA VALLEY 79, ABQ. SANDIA PREP 46

The Sundevils won the Sandia Prep Invitational for the second straight year in dominating fashion over the tournament host. In a battle of Sundevils, Española (4-2) jumped out to a 46-22 lead at the half and never looked back.

Ryan Trujillo had a team-high 21 points, while Zack Mascareñas added 19 and Brian Martinez had 14. Senior post Justino Rascon had 10 rebounds to provide the muscle in the paint.

“What a difference a week makes,” Española head coach James Branch said. “I just loved the way we defended and shared the ball this weekend.”

CUBA JV 45, DESERT ACADEMY/ SANTA FE WALDORF 41

The Wild Wolves were short-handed for the consolation game of the Jemez Valley Warriors Tournament, and it showed.

Down to just six players, turnovers ultimately were their downfall.

“We should have won that game,” Desert Academy/Waldorf head coach Enrique Otero said. “We committed too many turnovers. That was it.”

Liam Otero led the way with 26 points, and the rest of the points were evenly distributed among the other five players — three points apiece.

PECOS 58, ESCALANTE 42

The Panthers built a 30-14 lead and even overcame a sluggish third quarter that saw the Lobos get within 43-33 before Pecos pulled away in its homecoming game in Louis G. Sanchez Memorial Gymnasium.

Ismael Villegas had 19 points to lead the Panthers, Xavier Padilla added 15 and Omar Dominguez had 12. Randy Farrell led Escalante with 16 points.

GIRLS PECOS 61, ESCALANTE 13

The Lady Panthers made quick work of the Lady Lobos, jumping out to a 15-3 lead after a quarter before pouring it on in the second. Pecos held a 25-7 advantage in the quarter and took a 40-10 lead in a nondistrict game in Louis G. Sanchez Memorial Gymnasium.

Cassie Muller had a team-high 24 points for the Lady Panthers (3-2), while Brittney Martinez added 13. Faith Flores had 10 rebounds, and Trinity Herrera had eight rebounds to go with five steals and five blocked shots.