The Toppers open their season Tuesday against the Horsemen in Griffith Gym. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com

Tara McDonald scores early in the first quarter to set the tone for the Toppers. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com

By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post

With a big showing on both the offensive and defensive sides, the Los Alamos Hilltopper girls basketball team pulled away from St. Michael’s late Tuesday to win its season opener.

Los Alamos had its most productive quarter of offense in the fourth quarter putting up 12 points against the visiting St. Michael’s Horsemen,  and coupled that with holding the Horsemen to just two field goals in that quarter to win going away, 37-26 at Griffith Gymnasium.

It was a good start to the 2021-22 season for the Hilltoppers, whose COVID-compressed 2020-21 season was a complete bust.

GG Romero led all scorers with 12 points, accounting for nearly half of the Hilltoppers’ first half offensive output, while Abby Martinez and Carley Holland dropped in 6 points apiece.

Both teams struggled to get on track offensively Tuesday – the game was the season opener for the Horsemen, as well – with Romero and St. Mike’s Jada Lujan being the only players scoring more than 4 points in the opening half.

Lujan had 10 points in the first half, but was held scoreless in the second half as the Hilltopper defense allowed just four field goals.

In the final quarter, Holland scored all 6 of her points, including a huge steal that she took all the way to the other end for a bucket, stopping on a dime in the lane and getting a pair of St. Mike’s defenders to run right past her in the process.

Holland’s fast-break bucket all but put the game out of reach at the time.

The Hilltoppers (1-0) have a busy week coming back from the Thanksgiving break. They travel to Albuquerque to face Valley Nov. 30, then start the three-day Capital City Invitational Dec. 2 when they face the host Santa Fe Demons.

Emma Raven scores in the first quarter with defenders Jada Lujan and Clair Paterson guarding. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com

GG Romero turns the corner on her way to the Topper basket in the first quarter. Romero scored 10 points in the game. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com

Kenia Macias takes a close-in shot in the 3rd quartet. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com

Kenia Macias is in Milena Keene’s face under the Horseman’s basket in the 3rd quarter. Topper defense was strong all evening. Photo by John McHaleladailypost.com