GG Romero scores two of her 14 points for the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Roland Esch attempts to block a shot by Paul Lovato. Esch scored 10 points for the Toppers. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post

Both Los Alamos’ boys and girls basketball teams came out on the short end of their first-round games of the Capital City Invitational Tournament Thursday night.

The two teams played back-to-back games against their counterparts from Santa Fe High School. The Hilltopper girls lost their contest 45-38 to the Santa Fe’s Demons, while the Hilltopper boys dropped their contest to the Demon boys, 53-27.

Both of those contests, played at Toby Roybal Gymnasium on the Santa Fe High campus, were broadcast on the Los Alamos Daily Post’s YouTube channel.

The two losses were both Los Alamos’ first losses of the season. They dropped Los Alamos into the consolation bracket of the tournament, which continues through Saturday in Santa Fe.

In the girls’ contest, Los Alamos got good production out of Carley Holland and GG Romero. Romero, a freshman, had 8 of her 14 points in the first half, while Holland had 7 of her 14.

Unfortunately for the Hilltopper girls (2-1), they struggled to get more players involved in the offense. No other Hilltopper finished with more than 3 points.

Santa Fe (2-0) built a 7-point cushion by the break and was up by double-digits twice in the second half before Los Alamos cut the advantage down to just 5 in the late stages of the contest, but wouldn’t get any closer – an 0-for-7 performance at the foul line in the fourth quarter didn’t help.

The Demon girls were paced by Maci Cordova, who finished with 11.

For Los Alamos’ boys, they got off to a sluggish start in the first half, scoring just 3 points in the opening quarter on a long jumper by Elijah Ortiz. They would add just 6 more points in the second quarter.

In the late stages of the first half and into the second half, Santa Fe (2-0) got its impressive transition game rolling. Santa Fe, which dominated the boards on both ends, scored 8 of its 16 third quarter points in transition.

Los Alamos (1-1) was cold from the floor the entire night and was never within striking distance after about the midway point of the second quarter.

Roland Esch, who had 24 points for Los Alamos in its opener two nights earlier, again led the way with 10 against Santa Fe. He was the only Hilltopper in double-figures.

The Hilltoppers’ 6-9 center Mark Cleland was fronted on the offensive end the entire night – while no one from the Demons matched Cleland in height, the defensive scheme resulted in numerous turnovers and virtually no uncontested touches for the Hilltopper big man.

Ortiz finished with 6 points against Santa Fe. No other Hilltopper scored more than a bucket.

GG Romero bringing the ball downcourt in the first quarter. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Carley Holland scores two of her 14 points for the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Abby Martinez takes a shot from near mid court. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Santiago Espinosa drives in for a layup attempt. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

Mark Cleland blocks a shot attempt by Elefio Benavidez and picks up a foul. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Elijah Ortiz takes a quick jumper outside the circle. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com