15 Wins in a row for Mesa Vista, Escalante holds off McCurdy and a big Penasco comeback on Mora
Week 11: New Mexico 2A District 5 High School Hoops Recap
February 5th - February 10th
Seven games on the schedule for Week 11, including the last non-district game of the regular season schedule.
Tuesday, February 6th
Mora, New Mexico
Santa Rosa Lions - 64
Mora Rangers - 58
This was the last game on the non-district schedule for all of the teams from 2A District 5. The two teams met at the Dual Cities Tourney in Santa Rosa on December 30th, with the Lions winning, 55-50. Santa Rosa is an outstanding team that was in second place of 2A District 2, with a 16-5 overall record, and 1-1 in their district. The Lions were also 5-0 on the season versus teams from 2A District 5 coming into this game. The Rangers were 9-9 overall and 2-2 in the district. After a tough loss at home against Escalante on the previous Saturday, this would be another tough late season matchup for the Rangers.
Lincoln Alcon had a big first quarter for Mora with 6 points, which included a four-point play from getting fouled while hitting a three pointer and the free throw. The Lions had four different players score in the first quarter. It was a close game after the end of the first, with Santa Rosa leading 11-10.
In the second quarter, Senior Forward Xavier Sandoval scored two baskets in the quarter, including a tough offensive rebound for points. Mora Senior Jeremiah Romero then hit a big three-point shot to tie it at 17-17 near the midway point of the second quarter. The Lions extended their lead before the end of the half thanks to 6 points in the quarter from Jykub Gage. The Lions led, 29-25, at the half.
The score remained close after the start of the third quarter. Josh Cordova played well in the third for the Lions, scoring 7 points. Santa Rosa led 35-31 with 3:15 left in the third before Derik Duran hit a three for Mora. Another tough Power Forward who came off the bench for Santa Rosa was Andrew Urban who scored 5 points in the quarter, including an And 1 and another basket, to put the Lions up by 10 points. This is a big Lions team that seems to have depth with multiple players capable of scoring points. Santa Rosa led by twelve points before Lincoln Alcon pulled up, with his feet still on the center court logo, for a buzzer-beating three pointer to end the third for Mora. Ridiculous shot.
Alcon continued playing well in the fourth, scoring several baskets early to keep the Rangers close. The score was 54-48 before Derik Duran hit another big three for Mora, bringing the lead down to three. After a Lions basket, Duran made a big play on defense, stealing the ball and finding Lincoln Alcon on a two-on-one break for a finish And 1, bringing the lead down to two points.
With the momentum against them, the Lions’ Maddux Lucero then hit a dagger of a three with 2:40 left. Cordova made a few more baskets for Santa Rosa, before they held on for the road win. This Santa Rosa team looks prime to make a run at the 2A state playoffs coming up.
Sophomore Power Forward Maddox Lucero led the Lions, with 14 points, including that big three pointer to stop Mora’s momentum. Another outstanding Sophomore Power Forward for Santa Rosa is Josh Cordova, who finished with 13 points. With these two players in just their Sophomore years, Santa Rosa looks like a problem for anyone that winds up on their schedule in the next few years. Senior Small Forward Jykub Gage played big and scored 11 points on the night. Andrew Urban scored 9 points off the bench, also for the Lions.
Great effort from the Rangers here, despite the Lions pulling away late. Lincoln Alcon had an outstanding individual effort, scoring 29 points in the loss, including 19 points in the second half. Derik Duran played big again for the Rangers, hitting several timely three pointers to keep Mora close. Duran scored 8 points. Senior Forward Xavier Sandoval also scored 6 points on the night for Mora. The Rangers fell to 9-10 overall on the season, after the loss. Mora’s next game was a big one on the road, to visit the district-leading Mesa Vista Trojans on the following Thursday.
Santa Rosa Lions at Mora Rangers - Game Highlights
Thursday, February 8th
Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico
District 5 Game
McCurdy Bobcats - 64
Escalante Lobos - 74
This was another big game for two teams still in the district hunt. McCurdy came into the game with three-straight wins, including a twenty-two point victory over Mora in their last outing. The Bobcats had a 12-8 record overall, and 3-1 in the district. Escalante came in with a 12-7 record overall, and 3-1 in the district, also. The Lobos had won two in a row, and four of their last five. The two teams had met once this season, on January 5th, in the semifinals of the Northern Rio Grande Tourney, with Escalante winning 85-78.
Escalante led 19-16 after the first quarter. Lobos extended the lead to seven points at the half, 32-25. Lobos led 55-39 at the end of the third, after outsourcing the Bobcats 23-14 in the quarter. The Bobcats scored 25 points in the fourth but it wasn't enough to come back.
With the win, the Escalante Lobos improved to 13-7 overall, 4-1 in the district and had won three-games straight. McCurdy dropped to 12-9 on the season and 3-2 in the district, after the loss.
Thursday, February 8th
Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
District 5 Game
Mora Rangers - 57
Mesa Vista Trojans - 62
To say the Mesa Vista Trojans had been playing well coming into this game is an understatement. They were playing as well as any team in Northern New Mexico, or maybe even the state, too, after winning thirteen-games in a row, and fifteen of their last sixteen games. Trojans had a record of 15-4 on the season, and 4-0 in the district. This would be another tough matchup for Mora, with Mesa Vista Center Jordan Gallegos presenting a matchup problem for just about anyone who guards him.
I’m sorry I missed this one. The live stream was down. It sounded like another classic, though. Mesa Vista Coach Thomas Vigil complimented the Mora team, saying, “Mora is a scrappy, well coached team.” When asked who stood out for Mora, Vigil said, “Lincoln Alcon. He’s tough as nails…Doesn’t miss free throws, either.”
Mora Coach Manuel Romero said, “It was a heck of a game…Jordan Gallegos played well for Mesa Vista.” Jordan Gallegos scored 30 points for the Trojans. Lincoln Alcon led the Rangers with 16 points.
Another good effort from Mora, against a team playing as well as anyone. With the loss, the Rangers fell to 9-11 on the season, and 2-3 in the district. Their next game was at Penasco on the following Saturday.
With the win, Mesa Vista improved to 16-4 overall and 5-0 in the district. They also extended their winning streak to fourteen-games in a row. Their next game was at home against McCurdy on the following Saturday.
You can check out the highlights for Mesa Vista from this game here on Mesa Vista’s Hudl:
Mora Rangers at Mesa Vista Trojans
Thursday, February 8th
Penasco, New Mexico
District 5 Game
Questa Wildcats - 44
Penasco Panthers - 79
This matchup between the two teams at the bottom of the district was a good opportunity for developing their programs, late in the season. The two teams had met once this season at the NRGT on January 5th, with Penasco winning big, 62-33.
For the Wildcats, in terms of the evolution of a program, the Panthers are playing at the level Questa would hope to get to in the next few seasons, before they could get to the level of competing with the top teams in the district. The Wildcats came in with a 3-16 record overall, and 0-4 in the district. Penasco is a good team that always seems to push their opponents, regardless of their records coming in. The Panthers had a 5-14 record overall, and were 0-4 in the district, also.
The Panthers came out shooting hot to start the game. Senior Forward Dylan Lopez scored 7 points in 00:27 seconds, when he hit a mid-range jump shot, recovered a turnover at midcourt and took it for a runner in the lane, and then hit a three pointer at the top of the turn after another Questa turnover. An outstanding half minute of basketball from Lopez there.
Penasco led, 27-11, by the end of the first. Penasco Guard Kaileb Atencio scored 11 points in the first quarter, which included going 3 of 4 from three-point range. It seemed like the Panthers entire team couldn’t miss in the first. The Panthers continued scoring well in the second, leading 41-19 at the half.
Penasco continued to pour it on in the second half, leading 59-35 by the end of the third, and then adding another twenty points in the fourth quarter. Impressive night offensively for the Panthers. Kaileb Atencio and Shia Romero each scored 15 points for Penasco on the night. Dylan Lopez. Coach Pacheco said, “We finally had everyone healthy,” when asked about the game. It certainly appears so. The Panthers improved to 6-14 overall and 1-4 in the district.
With the loss, the Wildcats fell to 3-17 overall and 0-5 in the district. For Questa, this was another lump in a season with plenty, but there are signs of progress to be found. First, the Wildcats have a legitimate scorer in Freshman Guard Covo Cardenas, who led all scorers in the game with 16 points, including hitting multiple three pointers. A consistent outside shooter is a big piece to build from going forward.
Also, in terms of team offensive production by comparison with last season’s team which scored 17 points in the game at Penasco, this team scored 44 points. Questa Coach Mike Rael was optimistic about the direction his team is heading after the game. Rael said, “This year has been changing the culture, and I think we’re finally on the right track.” This writer would agree. Questa had also averaged 21 points per game as a team, in the eleven District 5 games they played last season. In the first five district games this season, the Wildcats had averaged 33.8 points per game; a twelve-point increase. However, little it might be, that's progress.
Questa Wildcats at Penasco Panthers - Game Highlights
Saturday, February 8th
Penasco, New Mexico
District 5 Game
Mora Rangers - 63
Penasco Panthers - 49
Mora and Penasco met on Saturday for the third time this season, with Mora having won the first meeting at the NRGT in a very close game, 54-51, and then winning the second game in Mora on January 25th, 58-43. Mora had won the last five games between the two, with Penasco’s last win coming in February of 2022.
The first quarter was all Rangers. Mora led 22-7 after one. Derik Duran made several buckets in the quarter. For as hot as Penasco started against Questa in their last game, they were equally as cold to start this one. Credit Mora’s defense early on here, too.
Mora continued to pour it on in the second quarter, with Lincoln Alcon scoring 7 points to help extend the Rangers’ lead. Derik Duran hit a three to make the score 37-12 before the Panthers went on a 10-2 run to end the first half.
The Rangers led 39-22 going into the third. After the run to end the first half, Penasco picked up where they left off, hitting the three straight three-point shots to open the quarter. One, from Shia Romero, one from Kaileb Atencio and one from Penasco's Junior Point Guard, Angel Romero, who has played big for the Panthers this season. Romero is one of the best finishers in the district. It seems like he scores on an off-balanced drive through defenders at least once a game.
Mora held a six-point lead late in the third quarter, when Penasco’s Demarcus Lopez scored five-straight points, including an And 1 with 00:36 seconds left to make it a three-point game, after being down by twenty-five points with a few minutes left in the second quarter. I told you this team was scrappy. Senior Forward Jeremiah Pacheco got a basket for Mora to make the score 48-43 at the end of the third.
The Rangers got their feet beneath them again to begin the fourth quarter, scoring the first eight points. Senior Forward Santiago Gold scored several baskets for Mora in that stretch. Mora continued playing good defense in the fourth. The Rangers added a few more baskets to stave off a big comeback.
Senior Guard Lincoln Alcon led the way for Mora with 20 points and four rebounds, on the night. Junior Guard Derik Duran continues playing big, and developing into a standout player, for the Rangers this season, scoring 17 points on the night. Senior Forward Santiago Gold finished with 9 points on the night, also.
Penasco Guard Kaileb Atencio led the Panthers in scoring, with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on the night. Atencio continues to stand out in just his Sophomore season. Demarcus Lopez scored 11 points, and Angel Romero scored 10 points, for Penasco in the loss. The Panthers fell to 6-15 overall, and 1-5 in the district. Their next game is on Thursday, February 15th, visiting the McCurdy Bobcats in Espanola.
With the win, the Mora Rangers improved to 10-11 overall and 3-3 in district play. Their next game is at Questa, to take on the Wildcats, on Thursday, February 15.
Saturday, February 10th
Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico
District 5 Game
Questa Wildcats - 24
Escalante Lobos - 64
Escalante was a big favorite against Questa at home. The Lobos had won their last three games coming into this matchup. Escalante had also won the last sixteen games between the two teams, with Questa’s last win in the series coming on January 19th, 2017.
Tonight would not be the night for Questa to break that streak, although they did play well in the first quarter. Gumicindo Deyapp led the Lobos with 6 points in the quarter. Trey Archuleta added 5 points. The Lobos led 20-11 after the first.
Escalante extended their lead to sixteen points by the half, leading 33-17. Sophomore Shooting Guard Damien Baeza, who has played well for the Lobos throughout the season, had 7 points, which all came in the first half.
The second half was a rough one for Questa, only managing 7 points all together. The Lobos kept on going, though, scoring 31 in the second half. Adamacio Bustamante led the Lobos with 11 points. Gumicindo Deyapp and Luka Torrez each scored 10 points on the night, and Trey Archuleta added 9 points for the Lobos. With the win, Escalante improved to 14-7 on the season and 5-1 in the district. Their current winning streak is at four games.
For Questa, Senior Forward Antonio Romero had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block. Freshman Guard Covo Cardenas had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. With the loss, the Wildcats fell to 3-18 overall and 0-6 in the district. Their next game is on Thursday, February 15th, at home against the Mora Rangers.
With the win, Escalante improved to 14-7 on the season and 5-1 in the district. Their current winning streak is at four games. Their next game is a big one, on Thursday, February 15th, at home in Tierra Amarilla in their second game against the Mesa Vista Trojans.
Saturday, February 10th
Ojo Caliente, New Mexico
District 5 Game
McCurdy Bobcats - 59
Mesa Vista Trojans - 75
This was the third meeting of the year between the two teams. McCurdy won the first matchup at the NRGT, by just two points, 70-68, and they were the last team to beat the Trojans this season. Mesa Vista won the next match up in Espanola, on January 25th, by twenty points, 65-45.
Mesa Vista won this one by sixteen points.
With the loss, McCurdy fell to 12-10 overall and 3-3 in the district.
With the win, Mesa Vista is now 17-4 overall and 6-0 in the district. The Trojans’ current win streak is at fifteen games in a row.
You can check out the highlights for Mesa Vista from this game here on Mesa Vista’s Hudl:
McCurdy Bobcats at Mesa Vista Trojans
Current 2A District 5 Standings
My Bad of the Week
The "My Bad of the Week," and for the season I guess in this case, goes out to Nehemiah Chavez of Penasco. I've been spelling his name Neamiah all season. I'm not sure how that came about, but my bad, young fella.
As always, any notifications of any mistakes or needed corrections are very welcomed at cwmartinsports@gmail.com.
For more coverage of 2A District 5 and other Class 2A teams, as well as teams from around the state of New Mexico throughout the season, including recaps and game highlights, please visit cwmartinsports.blogspot.com and youtube.com/CWMartinSports.
All footage and photos come courtesy of Hudl.com and nfhsnetwork.com.
Here's a song from Dean Summerwind about New Mexico to take us out. Thanks again for reading.
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