Schedule:
5 p.m. Nov. 18 at Farmington
7 p.m. Nov. 21 at St. Michael’s   
5 p.m. Nov. 25 at Pojoaque       
7 p.m. Nov. 28 at Volcano Vista       
7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Belen           
7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Valencia       
7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Santa Fe
1:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at Las Cruces       
Dec. 8-9 Joe Armijo Albuquerque Academy Tournament
7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Hope Christian   
7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against St. Pius       
3:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Artesia       
Dec. 28-30 Clovis Holiday Tournament
7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Taos           
7 p.m. Jan. 12 at Eldorado       
7 p.m. Jan. 16 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Del Norte       
4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Academy       
7 p.m. Jan. 27 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Española       
7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Capital      
7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Del Norte       
7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Academy       
7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Española       
7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Los Alamos; ‘Toppers play against Capital  

         

Players to watch:
Senior PF Ashley Atencio, Senior G Katey Green, Junior G Susana Gallegos

 

Outlook:
The Los Alamos Hilltopper girls basketball team is ready to put last season’s 6-21 record behind them and show off the work they’ve put in during the offseason. “We’re going to surprise a lot of teams because it’s a whole different style of basketball from last year’s team,” Head coach Josh Archuleta said after his team’s practice.

The ‘Toppers’ focus during the offseason was physical fitness. “Our girls put in a lot of hours over the summer and worked with head trainer Mick Matuszak to develop a weightlifting program, so these girls have been hitting the weights all summer long,” Archuleta said. “Basketball players and coaches tend to slack off on the weights during the season, but not this ‘Topper team. Our girls are going to be stronger and faster. It’s going to be a whole different atmosphere and a whole different type of team.”

 

The style of play is going to vary depending on the competition. With a young and athletic team, taking the opposition out of their element will be key for the ‘Toppers. “With this team, we can run if we need to run, or we can slow it down if we need to. It’s going to depend on the tale of the tape, if we can get good scouting reports. If it’s a team that wants to run-and-gun, we’re not going to get into that type of game. We’re going to try to slow it down and take them out of their flow,” Archuleta said about what spectators could expect to see.

 

Los Alamos will face a tough schedule with trips to Artesia, Eldorado, and Farmington this season, while hosting St. Pius, Volcano Vista, and Hope Christian this season. The ‘Toppers also will participate in the Joe Armijo Classic at Albuquerque Academy, and the Clovis Holiday Tournament.

 

The Hilltoppers’ first home game is 7 p.m., Nov. 21 against St. Michaels in Griffith Gym.