Demons come to life, tie for 2nd in district

Just when things were at their worst for the Santa Fe High Demons, they remembered the formula that got them off to such a strong start in District 5-5A play. Start fast, finish faster. Reversing the trend of the last five games, Santa Fe High got out to a 32-20 lead over Albuquerque Manzano in Albuquerque on Thursday night, then finished off the game with a 23-point fourth quarter to secure a 65-52 boys basketball win. The Demons (17-7 overall) moved into a tie for second place with crosstown rival Capital, which beat Albuquerque Sandia 58-46 on the road, at 4-4 in the 5-5A standings — just a game behind co-leaders Manzano and Albuquerque High.

Zack Cole, the Santa Fe High head coach, said his team finally came out strong to start a game, which is crucial to its blueprint for success considering how undersized it is.

“We won the first quarter 16 to 13,” Cole said. “So, when we make those runs that I know we can make, we’re going up 12 or 13 points instead of tying it or going up by two or three. We started fast, and then we just stayed fast.”

The Demons also got a strong performance from junior Carlos Dassaro, the team’s de facto post player. He had 17 points as he played well off his teammates’ driveand-kick plan, as he often sneaked in behind the defense for easy baskets. Cole said it happened despite suffering a rolled ankle in Wednesday’s practice.

“He is just a wall of energy,” Cole said. “We needed him. And when he rolled his ankle [on Wednesday], we weren’t sure if could go. That just shows how tough he is.”

That news was offset by fellow forward P.J. Lovato’s ankle injury late in the game that had him on crutches afterward.

Cruz Martinez added 16 points for Santa Fe High, and Christian Kavanaugh added 10. Dakota Powell led Manzano with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half.

CAPITAL 58, ABQ. SANDIA 46

Who needs a 3-pointer when you can shoot 57.9 percent in the paint? The Jaguars did just that at Sandia, as they hit 22 of 38 shots from the field, and coupled that with a 14-for-17 performance at the free-throw line.

Capital led 26-17 at the half, then outscored the Matadors (9-13, 3-5) 15-11 in the third quarter for a 13-point lead.

T.J. Sanchez had a team-high 17 points, while Seth Arroyos added 10. Brandon Saiz and Dominic Luna, who both sat on the bench in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 69-62 win over Albuquerque High, rebounded with eight points apiece.

Capital (16-7, 4-4) takes on Santa Fe High on Wednesday in Toby Roybal Memorial Gymnasium in a game that could eliminate one of them from district title contention.

PECOS 55, SANTA ROSA 51

The Panthers faced their stiffest challenge in more than a month, as they outscored the Lions 13-9 in the fourth quarter to break a 42-all tie in a 7-2A game in Santa Rosa.

Pecos (20-3, 4-0) rode the hot hand of Xavier Padilla, who had six of his 22 points in the final 8 minutes. He also went 8-for-11 from the freethrow line in the first half to help the Panthers to a 28-27 lead at the break. Anthony Armijo had 10 points for Pecos, and Omar Dominguez added nine.

Joaquin Romo paced Santa Rosa (15-7, 1-3) with 22 points.

DESERT ACADEMY/SANTA FE WALDORF 43, TIERRA ENCANTADA 39

The Wild Wolves broke through for their first 2-2A win of the season, by holding off the Alacranes in Christian Life Academy in a home game for the two teams that share the same gym.

Tierra Encantada (1-15, 1-4) used a 17-12 scoring run in the third quarter to trim a 21-14 halftime deficit to 33-31, but Desert Academy/ Waldorf (5-15, 1-4) outscored the Alacranes 10-8 in the final quarter to hold on. Will Smith hit a pair of free throws with 7 second left to push the score to its final margin.

Liam Otero had 29 points to lead Desert Academy/Waldorf, and Aeden Ronneau-Pauli added seven.

PECOS 50, SANTA ROSA 23

The Lady Panthers were down five players because of injuries and illness, but they rolled right along with a 2-2A win over the Lady Lions in Santa Rosa.

Pecos (18-4, 3-1) jumped out to a 16-6 lead after a quarter and upped the margin to 26-11 at the half. Brittney Martinez had 21 points to lead the Lady Panthers, while Cassie Muller had 19. The inside duo of Trinity Herrera and Faith Flores each had seven rebounds.

POJOAQUE VALLEY 55, TAOS 22

The Lady Tigers got off to a better start against the Elkettes then they did in their first 2-4A matchup, but they still trailed 14-4 after quarter. Pojoaque (20-4, 5-1) pushed the margin up to 33-12 at the half and 44-18 heading into the fourth quarter in Otero Gymnasium.

Ten Elkettes recorded points, but none had more than Adrianna Quintana’s 12 points. Toni Aquino added nine and Taylor Roybal eight.

ESPAÑOLA VALLEY 59, MORIARTY 52

The Lady Sundevils struggled to put away the Lady Pintos in a 2-4A game in Edward Medina Gymnasium, leading only by 47-45 heading into the fourth quarter before outscoring the visitors 12-7 to seal the district win.

Destiny Valdez and Kaylinn Martinez each knocked down a big 3-pointer down the stretch. Martinez finished with 17 points to lead Española (12-10, 3-3), while Kaylee Chavez added 14 and Valdez had 10.

Brooke Burch led the Lady Pintos (10-14, 1-5) with 19 points.