Top-seeded Robertson reaches title game

Cardinals will face second-seeded Santa Fe Indian School

RIO RANCHO — Late in a tight NMAA girls Class A semifinal basketball game, Robertson High and Navajo Prep battled for precious momentum.

Gabriela Trujillo delivered a key 3-pointer that swung “good ole mo” back to the top-seeded Cardinals, who held off the No. 5-seeded Eagles 57-49 at Santa Ana Star Center on Thursday morning.

Robertson (28-2) advances to today’s championship game at 3 p.m. at Dreamstyle Arena against Santa Fe Indian School.

Trujillo’s 3 sparked a 10-2 run over the final 3:05 in a game in which the Cardinals needed help from everyone. Seniors Alianza Darley (10 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks) and Jazmyne Jenkins (13 points, eight rebounds) endured foul trouble.

Robertson junior Tessa Ortiz stepped up with a game-high 17 points.

“We didn’t want to go home,” Ortiz said. “We fought really hard to get here. We’re just trying to have confidence in all of us and our teammates because we’re going to win together.”

Darley, 5-foot-11 and bound for UTEP to play volleyball, sat the equivalent of a quarter as she picked up her fourth foul with 4:25 left in the third period and did not go back in until there was 4:30 remaining in the game.

The Eagles (21-10) grabbed their first lead, 45-44, with 3:42 left on sophomore Cienna Harrison’s layup.

Jenkins, who sat the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, then converted a threepoint play after she was fouled. Navajo Prep answered with Aiona Johnson, who scored two of her team-high 14 points in the paint to tie it at 47-47.

Then, Trujillo, who finished with four points, responded with the 3-pointer that Navajo Prep coach Rainy Crisp said deflated her team.

“I just get mad at myself because I know not to reach,” Darley said. “I guess it’s a bad habit. But I trust my teammates. I trust that Tessa is going to pick up our team.”

Harley blocked a shot and drained 3 of 4 free throws after returning in the fourth quarter. Robertson coach Jose Medina made sure his star senior was ready to re-enter.

No. 2 SANTA FE INDIAN SCHOOL 56, No. 6 TULAROSA 38: Marlena Yazzie scored 18 points and Iris Emery added 10 to help Santa Fe Indian beat Tularosa and move on the state championship game.

Ember Cervantes led Tularosa with 11 points.