Youngsters carry the day for Hawks
La Cueva boys keep Hope Christian winless with 96-80 road victory
Volcano Vista’s highly touted freshmen came out firing Tuesday night.
The Hawks connected on five 3-point shotgs in the first quarter en route to posting a 63-54 nondistrict triumphy at Eldorado.
Ninth-graders Jaelyn Bates and Natalia Chavez combined for 47 points in the victory for Volcano Vista (2-1).
Bates had four 3s — three of them in the first quarter — and led the Hawks with 24 points. Chavez added 23 points and three long-distance shots.
“Our inexperience shows at times, but the girls, they’re learning, and every game is gonna get better,” said Volcano Vista coach Lisa Villareal.
Bates already has been over 20 points twice this season for the Hawks, and she had the University of New Mexico watching her last week.
“She’s probably one of the best shooters I’ve had in my coaching career,” Villareal said. “She makes good decisions on when to shoot the ball, so I don’t have to worry about that.”
The Hawks established a 12-point lead early against the Eagles (1-3).
Breanne Edgar had a teambest 12 points for Eldorado.
“We showed up strong,” Villareal said.
Her Hawks have a big test Thursday night, against unbeaten Sandia. SANDIA 53, HOPE CHRISTIAN 46: At Sandia, senior guard Sapirah Broussard led the Matadors with 19 points as they beat the Husies to win for the fourth time in four tries this season.
Sophomore guard Viane Cumber chipped in with 15 points for Sandia.
Hope sophomore Hayley Valencia finished with only three points. ST. PIUS 52, VALLEY 45: At Valley, senior guard Maya Trujillo had a game-high 23 points for the Sartans (3-1). LOS LUNAS 74, BLOOMFIELD 43: In Bloomfield, the Tigers routed the Bobcats in a rematch of last March’s Class 5A state final.
Boys
LA CUEVA 96, HOPE CHRISTIAN 80: At Hope, Derek Aeilts had six 3-pointers and 24 points and was one of three Bears to reach 20 points in a convincing road victory over the winless Huskies (0-3) who continue with their early demanding stretch of games.
Zach Garcia had 26 points and post Isaiah Ortega 21 points for La Cueva (1-3).
Isaiah Dockery led Hope Christian with 23 points. The teams combined for 18 3-pionters. LOS LUNAS 51, DEL NORTE 42: In Los Lunas, Zanen Zeller had 16 points for the top-ranked Tigers as they earned a victory over the ninth-ranked Knights (3-1). BOSQUE SCHOOL 84, SANTA FE PREP 36: At Bosque, 5-foot-9 shooting guard Dante Boeglin had a tremendous night for the Bobcats, draining 10 3-pointers and finishing with 34 points as Bosque School (3-3) whipped the Blue Griffins. BERNALILLO 59, GRANTS 41: In Grants, senior guard Reyes Herrera had 19 points as the Spartans (3-0) remained unbeaten with a road victory at one of their longtime bitter rivals.