By GEORGE MORSE A tough week for Hilltoppers’ hoops, Los Alamos wrestlers take third at Panther Classic
It was a tough week for both Los Alamos High School basketball teams. The boys lost two games and their season record fell to 4-4 on the season. The Lady Hilltoppers extended their losing streak to eight games, falling to 3-10 on the season.
The Hilltoppers lost to Albuquerque’s St. Pius X High School 50-38 Dec. 15 at Los Alamos. The Hilltoppers trailed 27-13 at halftime. Los Alamos outscored the Sartans 25-23 in the second half. Class 6A Eldorado High School from Albuquerque beat the Hilltoppers 63-44 Dec. 16 at Los Alamos.
The Hilltoppers will take a break for Christmas and Los Alamos returns to action at the Poe Corn Invitational basketball tournament Dec. 28 in Roswell. The Hilltoppers face Belen High School in the opening round of the tournament.
LADY HILLTOPPERS
The Lady Hilltoppers started last week being beaten by Albuquerque’s Hope Christian High School 65-31 Dec. 13 in Albuquerque. Los Alamos lost to St. Pius X High School 39-35 Dec. 15 in Albuquerque. The Lady Hilltoppers lost a heartbreaker to Artesia High School Dec. 17 at Los Alamos. Trailing 41-31 going into the fourth quarter, Los Alamos rallied and nearly pulled off an upset, losing 45-44 to the Lady Bulldogs.
Los Alamos returns to action Jan. 5 in the Lady Tiger Invitational hosted by Aztec High School in Aztec.
WRESTLING
The Los Alamos High School wrestling team took third place in the Gold Bracket of the Panther Classic wrestling meet hosted by Piedra Vista High School Dec. 17 in Farmington.
Los Alamos advanced to the Gold Bracket by finishing first in Pool B competition. The Hilltoppers defeated Kirtland Central High School 39-36, Mancos High School of Colorado 66-12 and local rival Pojoaque Valley High School 60-24 in pool competition.
Several wrestlers had outstanding performances at the tournament. Sam Harvey was undefeated (5-0) in the 195-pound weight class. Devin Atencio (106 pounds) and Trevor Brown (145 pounds) were both 4-1 in their matches. Donovan Atencio (113 pounds), Neil DeHerrera (132 pounds), Dylan Irish (170 pounds), John DiMarino (182 pounds) and Milo Light (220 pounds) were 3-2 during the tournament. Israel Gellis (126 pounds) and Patrick Irish (285 pounds) went 2-3 in their matches. Jacob Thompson was 0-5 at 150 pounds.
Los Alamos returns to action on the mat Jan. 4 at the Al Salazar Memorial Invitational wrestling tournament hosted by St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe.
