Mark Cleland pounds a slam-dunk in front of Nick Manzanares in the first quarter of the quarter final game against Pojoaque Saturday night in Griffith Gymnasium. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Michelle Macias and Tonni Aquino battle for the ball under the Topper basket. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post

All of the boys basketball games between Los Alamos and Pojoaque Valley this season were decided by 12 points.

Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, the last 12-point decision went in favor of the Elks.

Pojoaque Valley was the more physical team Tuesday night, winning a tough game in the trenches. Pojoaque Valley controlled the boards for virtually the entire night and kept Los Alamos away from the bucket on the offensive end, negating its height advantage.

The Elks weren’t great on offense themselves, but put together enough of a push in the third quarter to win 52-40 at Griffith Gymnasium.

That game, the quarterfinal of the District 2-4A boys tournament, was broadcast on the Los Alamos Daily Post’s YouTube channel.

Pojoaque point guard Derek Sanchez, who was quiet for most of the game, came up with 14 of his game-high 19 points in the third quarter as the Elks erased a 3-point deficit at the half to go up by 7 after three.

But it was Pojoaque Valley’s rebounding that allowed it to pull off the upset. The Elks crashed the boards all night long, giving the Hilltoppers (15-12) few second-chance opportunities.

Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, their offense was off-kilter all night. Of particular trouble was the team’s passing against the man-to-man defense of Pojoaque Valley (9-18).

The high-point man for Los Alamos Tuesday was Wesley Stanfield, who had 6 points. No other Hilltopper finished with more than 5.

Los Alamos and Pojoaque Valley met three nights earlier, also at Griffith Gym, in the regular season finale for both teams. Los Alamos prevailed 60-48 in that contest, one in which it was in control most of the way.

With the loss, the Hilltoppers were eliminated from the district tournament. With their third-place finish in 2-4A and a couple of key wins against Class 4A teams, not the least of which was an upset over Española Valley Jan. 31, the Hilltoppers could still sneak into the upcoming Class 4A state tournament.

The Hilltoppers will have to await their fate, however, as the state tournament field won’t be announced until Sunday.

Girls basketball

Española Valley 54, Los Alamos 35

The Hilltopper girls were likewise knocked out of the District 2-4A tournament Tuesday night.

The Hilltoppers, who advanced to the quarterfinals with a win Monday, couldn’t keep pace with the Espanola Valley Sundevils at Edward Medina Gymnasium, losing by 19 points. It was the biggest margin of victory by either team in their four meetings this season.

Española Valley (12-13) now moves on to face Moriarty, the runner-up in 2-4A during the regular season. The winner of that game, which will be played Thursday in Moriarty, meets Taos for the tournament championship later this week.

Los Alamos’ girls (13-14), like their male counterparts, will have to await the decision by the state’s seeding and selection committee to see if they will advance to the state tournament.

The Hilltopper girls are firmly on the playoff bubble – Española Valley and St. Pius X are Los Alamos’ biggest competitors for the final couple of slots in the tournament. The Hilltopper are very much hoping a surprise team doesn’t somehow win a district tournament and pick up an automatic bid, leaving fewer at-large slots into the playoff field.

Roland Esch takes a quick jump shot under the Topper basket. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Carley Holland goes up for a layup. She was the top scorer of the game with 20 points. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Josiah Fresquez brings the ball down court and tries for a shot in the 2nd quarter. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Sofia Trujillo makes a run for the basket in the 2nd quarter. She scored 10 points for the game. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Wesley Stanfield pressures Derek Sanchez near the Elk’s basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Abby Martinez looks for a teammate to pass to in the 2nd quarter. She scored 8 points in the game. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com