State Championship Recaps

2016 U.S. Bank
State Basketball Championships
Rio Rancho Rams win Second Boys’ Basketball Championship
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Rio Rancho Rams (19-12) defeated the Carlsbad Cavemen (24-8) in the 2016 U.S. Bank 6A Boys’ State Basketball
Championship game by a score of 56-54. The win marked the second blue trophy for the Rams and the first since 2007.
Juan Hunt and Clay Patterson led the Rams with 17 points apiece, followed by Derrick Reyes with 12. Joe Elmalhy grabbed
a team-high eight boards. As a team, Rio Rancho shot 57 percent from the floor and 88 percent for the charity stripe.
Carlsbad was led by Ralph Cueto and Brenden Boatwright, who both tallied 13 points, while Boatwright pulled down a
game-high 11 rebounds. The Cavemen shot 32 percent from the field and 91 percent from the free throw line.
In all, the two teams shot a total of 19 free throws in the game, missing just a combined two attempts.
The Rams opened the game on an 8-2 run, with Patterson scoring five of those points. Carlsbad stayed within striking
distance and cut the Rams’ lead to just two at 15-13, before going on a 5-0 run to end the first quarter of play, leading
18-13 after one.
With a four-point game at 25-21 halfway through the second quarter, Rio Rancho scored nine straight points to bring
their lead to 13 points at 34-21. Carlsbad responded with a run of their own, cutting the Rams’ lead to 34-27. The Rams
managed one last basket before the buzzer sounded to end the half and take a 36-27 lead into the locker room.
An 8-0 run by the Cavemen to start the third quarter cut the lead to one at 36-35 and the score remained within five
points for the majority of the quarter. A late basket by Boatwright made it a two point game going into the fourth at 4442.
Rio Rancho jumped the tempo to start the final quarter of play, putting together a 6-1 run to extend their lead to seven
points at 50-43. Carlsbad then pulled to within onepoint at 50-49 following a 6-0 run. The two teams
exchanged baskets for the next three minutes of play.
With the score 54-52, Hurt hit two big free throws to
make it a four point lead at 56-52 with just under 30
seconds to go. Boatwright would hit from inside to
make it a 2-point game at 56-54 but the clock expired
and Rio Rancho captured their second blue trophy
with a 56-54 win.
Española Valley Hoists 5A Blue Trophy
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Española Valley Sundevils (24-9) raised the blue trophy overhead at the 2016 U.S. Bank 5A Boys’ State Basketball
Championships with a 36-34 win over the Capital Jaguars (27-5). It was the first championship in boys’ basketball for
the Sundevils since 2011 and the second in school history.
The Sundevils were led by Marcos Flores with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw
line. Azaziah Salazar added nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the win. As a team, Española Valley shot 32 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Jaguars 38 to 20.
Capital was guided by Augistine Larranaga and Jeremy Anaya, who both dropped in nine points. The Jaguars shot 39
percent from the floor as a team. Capital’s leading scorer, Eric Coca, was held to just one point in the game.
Both teams were cold from the field to start the game, managing just 17 total points combined, as Capital held a onepoint lead at 9-8 after the first quarter.
Quarter number two was much the same as a total of five baskets were made but the Jaguars managed to stay ahead to
take a three-point lead at 16-13 into the locker room at the halftime.
To start the third quarter, the two teams exchanged baskets the entire quarter. The score would be tied at 18-18 midway
through the quarter but Capital went on a small 4-0
run to push their lead to 22-18. The Sundevils would
keep it close and trailed by just two at 24-22 heading
into the final quarter of play.
The Jaguars opened up the fourth quarter on a 6-2
run, giving them a six point lead, their largest of the
game at 30-24. Capital would maintain the lead over
the next five minutes of play but an 8-2 run by the
Sundevils forced them ahead for the first time in the
game at 35-34 with under a minute left in the game.
Española Valley added one free throw to extend their
lead to two at 36-34 with just seconds on the clock,
as the Sundevils held on to win the 5A boys’ championship.
Hope Christian Wins Fourth Straight Title
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Hope Christian Huskies (29-2) defeated the West Las Vegas Dons (23-9), 67-42 to capture the 2016 U.S. Bank 4A
Boys’ State Basketball Championship. The Huskies marked their fourth consecutive title and the 14th in school history
with the win, all under head coach Jim Murphy.
Hope Christian was led by Marcus Medina with a game-high 25 points, followed by Jordan Leake with 12 and Nelson
Longmire with 11. Caleb Meyer-Hagen recorded a game-high 10 boards in the win. As a team, the Huskies shot 55 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Dons 36 to 26.
Miguel Sena led the way for West Las Vegas with 15 points, as D.J. Bustos dropped in 11 points. As a team, the Dons shot
33 percent and were 7-of-24 from behind the 3-point arc.
The Huskies jumped out to an early 10-4 lead on the Dons behind Medina’s five first quarter points. Hope Christian then
went on an 11-5 run to open up a 12 point lead at 21-9 to end the first quarter of play.
Hope Christian maintained a sizeable lead in the second, outscoring West Las Vegas 15-10, carrying a 17-point lead into
halftime. Medina again led the way for the Huskies,
scoring six points in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the two teams exchanged baskets
and free throws, as the Dons were able to cut into the
Huskies’ lead. Hope Christian, however, continued to
hold a double-digit lead at 15 points, 47-32. Bustos
scored seven of his 11 points in the third quarter.
An 8-0 run to start the fourth and final quarter of
play by Hope Christian pushed their lead to 23 points
at 55-23, as Longmire dropped in six during the run.
West Las Vegas would cut the lead to 20 points at 5535 but that would be as close as they would get, as
Hope Christian hoisted the blue trophy overhead for
the fourth year in a row, winning by a final score of
67-42.
Texico wins Fifth Boys’ State Title
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Texico Wolverines (22-5) captured their fifth state crown at the 2016 U.S. Bank 3A Boys’ State Basketball Championships with a 77-52 win over the Tucumcari Rattlers (21-6). It was the first championship for Texico since winning
back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.
The Wolverines shot 56 percent from the field in the game, while out-rebounding the Rattlers 50 to 29. Brannon Karger
led the way for Texico with 24 points, followed by Nathan Phipps, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13
boards. Braden Fraze added 13 points for the Wolverines.
Tucumcari was led by John Paul Garcia with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-24 shooting and 5-of-17 from behind the
3-point arc. Daniel Lopez added eight points in the loss. As a team, the Rattlers shot 29 percent from the floor and 21
percent from behind the 3-point line. In fact, Tucumcari was 8-of-38 from downtown.
The first quarter of play was back and forth as the score was tight at 14-13 in favor of the Wolverines.
The second quarter was a much different story as Texico put together a 17-2 run to start, building a sizeable lead at
33-15. Karger led the Wolverines with nine points
during the run. A 5-0 run by Tucumcari cut the lead
to 13 points at 33-20 but Texico countered with a 5-0
run of their own and were up by 18 (38-20) going
into halftime.
A 10-1 run by Texico to start the third quarter put the
game out of reach for the Rattlers, as the score was
48-21 with just under four minutes left. As the clock
hit zero to end the third, Texico held a commanding
29-point lead, 59-30, and were well on their way to
the 2016 title.
Despite nine points by John Paul Garcia and outscoring Texico 22-18 in the fourth quarter, the Rattlers
could not overcome the 29-point deficit in the final
quarter, as the Wolverines held the blue trophy overhead for the fifth time, winning 77-52.
Melrose Wins First Title since 2001
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Melrose Buffaloes (26-3) took home the 2A boys’ state basketball title for the first time since 2001 with a 63-51 win
over the Mora Rangers (26-6). It was the fourth time in school history that the Buffaloes captured the blue trophy.
Melrose had three players in double figures, led by Cade Barnard with 20 points, followed by Chris Fisher with 12 and
Wyatt Williams with 10 points and a 10 rebounds. Braden Hemminger led all rebounders in the game with 11 to go along
with his eight points. As a team, the Buffaloes shot 37 percent from the floor, while grabbing 62 rebounds in the game,
15 more than Mora (47).
Mora’s Casimiro Fresquez had a team-high 20 points in the game, followed by Emmerick Martinez with nine points and
nine boards. The Rangers shot 25 percent from the field and were 2-of-17 from behind the 3-point line.
The Buffaloes jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game. Mora cut Melrose’s led to three at 13-10 midway through the
first quarter. The two teams would combine for a total of four points the remainder of the quarter, as Melrose held a 1512 lead.
The second quarter was back and forth and was actually a three-point game at 26-23 with just over a minute remaining until a 6-0 run by Melrose gave them a
nine point halftime advantage.
The second half began with the Buffaloes putting together an 8-0 run to take their lead to 17 points at
40-23. However, the shooting would go cold for Melrose, who would only score two more points in the
quarter, allowing Mora to climb back into the game.
The Rangers put together a 6-2 run to pull within 13
points at 42-29.
A 5-0 run and a 7-1 sealed the victory for the Buffaloes in the fourth quarter, despite a late rally by the
Rangers, who ended the game on a 9-1 run of their
own. Melrose held the blue trophy high after a 63-51
win and the title of 2016 2A Boys’ Champion.
Cliff Wins Second Consecutive 1A Boys’ Championship
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Cliff Cowboys (22-6) took home the 12th state title in school history with a 56-45 victory over the Springer Red
Devils (26-5) in the 2016 U.S. Bank 1A Boys’ State Basketball Championship game. The win also marked the back-to-back
championships for the Cowboys.
As a team, Cliff shot 42 percent for the game, while grabbing 46 boards, 25 more than their opponents. Cliff was led by
Holt Shelley with 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while also grabbing a game-high 19 rebounds. Jace Jenkins was also in
double digits with 10 points.
Springer was led by Estevan Romero, who recorded a game-high 22 points. Romero was 8-of-21 from the floor and 5-of17 from beyond the 3-point line. As a team, the Red Devils were 7-for-27 from 3-point land.
The Red Devils held an early lead over the defending champions, 9-6, before the Cowboys tied the game at nine all. A 5-0
run by Cliff pushed their lead to 19-14 with just under two minutes to play in the quarter. The Cowboys held a six point
lead at 21-15 after one.
Cliff took control in the second quarter, opening up
with an 11-2 run, extending their lead to 32-17. Going to the locker room at the half, the Cowboys held a
16-point lead at 38-23.
The lead continued to grow for the Cowboys in the
third quarter, as Cliff started the second half on a
9-0 run, leading 49-23. Springer, however, ended the
third on a 7-2 run to pull within 21 points at 51-30.
In the fourth quarter, Cliff managed just five total
points, allowing Springer to climb back into the game
but, in the end, the 21-point fourth quarter deficit
was too much as Cliff successfully defended their title
with a 56-45 win.
Volcano Vista Wins 6A Girls’ Title for Third Time
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Volcano Vista Hawks (25-5) captured the 2016 U.S. Bank 6A Girls’ State Basketball Championship with a 33-31 win
over the Cibola Cougars (27-2). The win marked the third state title for the Hawks in the last five seasons.
As a team, Volcano Vista shot just 26 percent from the field, going 11-of-42 and 1-for-6 from behind the 3-point arc,
while out rebounding the Cougars 38 to 32. Raven Herrera led the Hawks with 16 points and 13 rebounds, as three other
Hawks kicked in five points each.
Cibola was led by Corbyn Cunningham with 11 points, followed by Amaya Brown with 10 and a team leading five boards.
As a team, the Cougars shot 32 percent from the floor and were 8-of 17 from the charity stripe.
Early in the contest, defense dominated the action as the Hawks lead 6-5 after the first quarter of play. The cold shooting
continued for Volcano Vista in the second quarter, as the Cougars outscored the Hawks 14-4 and held a 19-10 lead going
into the locker room. An 11 to 2 run in the second by Cibola helped build that nine point lead.
In the third, the Hawks clawed and scratched their way back into the game, opening the quarter with a 9-1 run to pull
within one-point at 20-19. The two teams exchanged baskets the remainder of the third, as the score was tied at 24 all,
going into the fourth. Herrera and Melissa Mancha
each poured in five points in the quarter, while the
Hawks’ defense held Cibola to just two field goals.
Cibola came out firing in the fourth quarter, quickly
jumping out to a six point lead at 30-24, before the
Hawks put together an 8-0 run to take a two-point
lead at 32-30 with just under a minute to play in the
game.
A made free throw by the Cougars pulled Cibola within one at 32-31 before Volcano Vista added a free
throw of their own to push the lead back to two at
33-31. As the clock ticked away, a drive to the basket by the Cougars was blocked by the Hawks as time
expired, giving Volcano Vista a two-point victory at
33-31 and the 2016 Championship trophy.
Roswell Wins First State Basketball Title
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The 5A Girls’ State Championship game pitted the No. 1 seed Gallup (28-1) vs the No. 2 Roswell (27-2). The Coyotes went
on to capture the schools’ first girls’ basketball title with a 59-41 victory over the Bengals at the 2016 U.S. Bank State
Basketball Championships.
Roswell was led by Jaedyn De la Cerda, who scored a game-high 34 points on 14-of-30 shooting from the field and 4-of7 from behind the 3-point line. She also grabbed 10 boards in the game. Gail Sanchez added 12 points for the Coyotes,
while Alexis Angeles grabbed 10 rebounds as well. As a team, Roswell shot 34 percent from the field and was 5-of-11
from beyond the 3-point arc. The Coyotes also out rebounded the Bengals 54 to 32.
Ni’asia Mcintosh of Gallup led the Bengals with 26 points and 18 rebounds, as the Bengals shot 36 percent from the floor
and were 0-of-9 from the 3-point line. Gallup did hit 7-of-9 from the charity stripe.
In the first quarter, the game was back and forth between the two teams, as the score was 16-12 in favor of the Coyotes
after one.
The Roswell defense took over in the second quarter, holding the Bengals to just nine points. With the score at 20-18,
Roswell put together a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 30-18 and held an 11-point advantage going into the locker room
at halftime, 32-21.
Gallup opened up the third quarter on a 6-2 run to cut
the Roswell lead to 34-27 but the Coyotes responded
with a run of their own, rattling off a 12-0 run to push
their lead to 19 points at 46-27. Gallup held Roswell
to zero field goals in the final minute of the quarter
but could only manage to score three points, as the
Coyotes held a 16-point advantage going into the final quarter, 46-30.
The two teams exchanged baskets the entire quarter and in the end, the Roswell lead was too much
for Gallup to overcome, as the Coyotes captured the
school’s first state title in girls’ basketball, 59-41.
The game also featured a first for the officiating crew
in a state basketball championship game with an
all-female crew, which included Yolanda Osuna, Candace Aragon and Erin Dunavant.
Hope Christian Captures Second Straight Title
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Hope Christian Huskies (22-9) captured their second straight 4A Girls’ State title at the 2016 U.S. Bank State Basketball Championships with a 51-48 win over the Shiprock Chieftians (29-4). This marked the third overall title for the
girls in school history.
The Huskies shot 40 percent from the field, going 17-for-43, despite just 1-of-12 from behind the 3-point line. Three
Huskies scored in double figures, led by Alivia Lewis with 17 and a team-leading 11 boards. Hanna Valencia scored 14
points, while Charity Murphy dropped in 12. Hope Christian also out rebounded Shiprock, 44 to 34.
The Chieftians were led by Shontai Grey, who scored a game-high 20 points, while also leading Shiprock with nine rebounds. Tia Woods added 10 points to the Chieftians total.
Hope Christian jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before Shiprock tied the game at 5-5. The two teams battled back and
forth the remainder of the quarter, as Shiprock held a 14-11 lead after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, the largest lead for either team was seven points, Hope Christian held a 21-15 advantage at the
midway point. Shiprock scratched their way back into the quarter, making it a one-point game at 26-25, before the Huskies ended the second quarter on a 4-1 run to take a three-point lead at 29-26 going into the half.
To start the second half, Shiprock quickly took a one-point lead at 30-29, after a free throw and 3-point basket by Woods.
The score was then tied at 33-33 with just less than six minutes to go in the quarter. Hope Christian then put together a
10-0 to end the quarter, holdind a 43-33 lead after three.
Despite being down 10 points going into the final
quarter of the season, Shiprock would not go away
quietly. The Chieftians opened up the fourth on a
10-1 run to cut the Huskies’ lead to 44-43 with just
over four minutes left in the game. Hope Christian
then went on a 6-2 run to push their lead back to five
at 50-45.
A big 3-point basket by Shiprock with under 30 seconds in the game brought the score to 50-48. The
Huskies would hit one of two free throws to make it a
3-point game, as Shiprock’s last effort came up short
and Hope Christian hoisted the blue trophy with a final score of 51-48.
Texico Repeats as 3A Girls’ State Champions
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
For the 10th time in school history, the Texico Wolverines (24-4) hoisted the blue trophy overhead after a 43-37 win
over Tularosa (30-1) at the 2016 U.S. Bank State Basketball Championships. The win marked the second straight title for
Texico and the fourth under head coach Richard Luscombe.
The Wolverines were led by Jasmine Gannon, who recorded a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds. Brianna Reyna
chipped in 13 points and six boards in the win. As a team, Texico shot 39 percent from the floor, including 72 percent
from the field in the second, which followed a 1-for-18 performance in the first half.
Shania Gililland led the Wildcats with 14 points, followed by Aviana Garcia with 10. As a team, Tularosa shot 27 percent
from the field.
The first quarter was a low scoring affair as both teams combined for three total baskets, as the Wildcats held a 6-4 lead
after one.
Tularosa extended their lead in the second, scoring seven points and held an eight point lead going into the half at 13-5.
The Wolverines managed just one point in the quarter on a Gannon free throw.
The scoring for both teams picked up in the second
half, despite Tularosa holding a 20-9 lead halfway
through the quarter. The Wolverines battled their
way back into the game on a 9-3 run late in the quarter to pull with six points at 25-18.
The start of the fourth quarter was the Gannon show,
as she scored the Wolverines’ first 17 points of the
quarter, as Texico went on a 17-10 run to grab the
lead at 38-35 with just over three minutes to play
in the game. The Wildcats would get to within one
at 38-37 but Reyna knocked down five straight free
throws to put the game out of reach and give Texico
the title, 43-37. The Wolverines outscored the Wildcats 25-12 in the final quarter of play.
Melrose Wins Second Straight 2A Girls’ Championship
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The No. 7 seed Melrose Buffaloes (21-9) defeated the No. 1 seed Logan Longhorns (23-8), 48-47, in the 2016 U.S. Bank
2A Girls’ State Basketball Championship game to capture their second straight blue trophy.
As a team, Melrose shot 33 percent from the floor, on 12-of-36 shooting, while making 8-of-17 from behind the 3-point
arc. Taylor Boswick led the Buffaloes with 22 points, Reagan Carthel added 13. Addisen Dial dropped in eight points and
team-leading 11 rebounds, while going 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
Logan was led by Kaylee Foote who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards, followed by Kippi Webb
with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The game started at a fast pace as both team exchanged baskets the entire first quarter. Melrose did hold a five point lead
at one point in the quarter at 10-5 but an 8-5 run by Logan to close the quarter made it just a two-point game at 15-13.
The second quarter was all Melrose, as the Buffaloes scored 12 points, while their defense locked down the Longhorns,
not allowing Logan to score a single point in the quarter. Going into the locker room at the half, Melrose looked to have
the game in hand with a 27-13 lead.
Melrose jumped out early on Logan in the third quarter, extending their lead to 18 points at 36-18 with just over four
minutes to play. But a 12-1 run by the Longhorns cut into the Buffaloes lead, making it 37-30 going into the final quarter
of the game.
The Longhorns continued the scoring to start the
fourth, putting together a 7-1 run to make it a onepoint game at 38-37. The score would eventually be
tied at 43-43 with a little over two minutes to go before Logan took its first lead at 44-43. It was the first
lead for Logan since holding the lead at 3-0 to start
the game.
A quick 5-0 run by the Buffaloes gave them a 4844 lead with just under a minute remaining. Logan
would hit a long 3-point bucket to pull within one at
48-47 but time would run out, as Melrose captured
their second straight title.
Elida Wins 6th Straight Girls’ State Basketball Title
By Tyler Dunkel, NMAA Sports Information Director
The Elida Tigers (27-3) won their sixth straight blue trophy at the 2016 U.S. Bank State Basketball Championship with
a 55-31 win over Grady/House (20-11) in the 1A Girls’ championship game. It was the seventh state title for the Tigers
and the second under head coach Jaden Isler.
The Tigers were led by Lauren Stone, who scored a team-high 14 points, going 6-for-8 from the floor. Madison Haley
recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. As a team, Elida shot 36 percent from the field, while committing just six turnovers in the game.
The Broncos’ Jordyn Stowe led all scorers with 22 points and 12 rebounds, hitting 6-of-22 from the floor and 10-of-12
from the charity stripe. As a team, Grady/House shot just 24 percent from the field.
Elida jumped out to an early lead on Grady/House, 5-0, but a 7-2 run by the Broncos the remainder of the quarter tied
the game at seven all after one.
The Tigers and Broncos were tied at 10-10 before a
17-2 run by Elida gave then a 27-12 lead going into
halftime. Grady/House managed just one field goal in
the quarter.
The third quarter was much the same, as the Tigers
opened up the second half on a 10-1 run, extending their lead to 20 points at 37-17. The two teams
exchanged buckets over the last half of the quarter,
as Elida maintained a 20-point lead going into the
fourth, at 40-20.
In the fourth, the Broncos continued to fight until the
end but the Tigers’ defense and lead were too much
to overcome, as Elida won the game 55-31.