By MORRIE PONGRATZWhat happens when an irresistible force meets a very moveable object? Last Tuesday evening on senior night the 18-6 Hilltopper girls’ basketball team cut through the 1-21 Bernalillo Spartans like a knife through hot butter.
Led by senior Ashlynn Trujillo with 17 first half points Toppers led by 58-13 at halftime! New Mexico Activities Association rules preclude the use of a “running clock” before halftime.
In a display of good sportsmanship Topper Coach Nestor Trujillo cleared his bench early in the first quarter. The Toppers led by 25-9 at the end of the first period. Reserves Katya Skurikin and Elena Abeyta ended the first half with 8 and 6 points respectively.
Even with a “running clock” the Toppers forged a 72-16 lead after three quarters. The final score was 76 to 21. 5’4” Spartan junior Ramona Calabaza never gave up, ending with 16 of the Spartans 21 points!
Scoring is not everything in basketball. When watching a game I mentally give one point to the team in possession of the ball, assuming that they’ll make 50 percent of their shots. This makes rebounds, steals and, uh-oh, turn-overs very important. A steal gives a team 2 points in my “book” and a turn-over subtracts 2 points.
Ashlynn’s value to the team can be seen in her 6 steals and no turnovers, worth 12 points in my “book”. Ashley Logan ended with 6 points but 5 rebounds and 7 steals! Shannon Irwin led in rebounding with 6; Katya Skurikin had 5 rebounds.
The Toppers will be expected to defeat the Del Norte Knights this coming Saturday at 7 pm. That would squeeze the Toppers past the Knights into sole possession of second place in District 2 5A. The Toppers would then host the semifinals of the district tournament on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Tuesday evening’s C-team game was also a rout, the Toppers winning 62-22. The Toppers were led in scoring by sophomore Lauren Harris with 13 points. Freshman post Mattie Ruminer had 12 points and 9 rebounds and freshman guard Marin Kelly had 11 points and 7 rebounds.
The JV game was closer, the Toppers prevailing 64-48. The Toppers were led in scoring by 5’0” 8th grader Savannah Lucero; she had 13 points. Freshman Anna Lemke finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 8 steals.
