Los Alamos Bell Larribas drives against Espanola. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.com 
Los Alamos’ Natalie Gallegos attempts a pass to a teammate against Espanola Valley. Photo by George Morse/ladailypost.comBy GEORGE MORSE
Sports and Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post
The Los Alamos High School Lady Hilltoppers lost to Espanola Valley High School 53-33 in a girls basketball game Jan. 27 at Espanola.
The Lady Hilltoppers kept it close in the first quarter and trailed by just a point 7-6 heading into the second quarter. The score was 14-9 in the second quarter when Espanola put together a 9-0 run to lead 23-9 at halftime.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Sundevils had built a 20-point lead 37-17 and Espanola Coach Cindy Roybal emptied her bench during the fourth quarter as the Lady Sundevils cruised to victory. Bell Larribas, Natalie Gallegos and Savannah Lucero all tied for team-high honors, each scoring seven points.
Los Alamos lost its most experienced player, Ashley Logan, to an injury and is in the process of rebuilding this season. The Lady Hilltoppers are just 5-15 this season and now 0-1 in District 2-5A. Los Alamos was 22-8 last season and 24-6 in 2014-2015.
“Sometimes success isn’t measured in wins and losses,” said Los Alamos Coach Josh Archuleta who is in his first season. “We’re trying to compete with girls that don’t have a lot of experience. Lick your wounds and get after it tomorrow. Focus on the future. There’s no past history with them.”
The Lady Hilltoppers host Albuquerque Academy Jan. 30 and Capital High School Wednesday (2/1) in District 2-5A competition this week.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Los Alamos High School boys basketball team had its District 2-5A contest against Espanola Valley High School scheduled for Jan. 27 canceled after concerns for the safety of the Espanola team after a shooting Friday, Jan. 27, allegedly involving a junior varsity player for Espanola, which was followed by alleged threats against the team. The game has been rescheduled for tonight at Los Alamos.
Los Alamos picked up its first win in District 2-5A Jan. 20, defeating Albuquerque Academy 50-4 in Albuquerque. The Hilltoppers are 9-10 overall and 1-1 in District 2-5A. Los Alamos faces Capital High School Jan. 31 in Los Alamos.
WRESTLING
The Los Alamos High School wrestling team competed at the Robertson Cardinal Classic meet hosted by Robertson High School Jan. 27-28 in Las Vegas. The Hilltoppers finished in 15 th place with 260 points. Piedra Vista High School took first place with 555.5 points.
Leading the way for the Hilltoppers was senior Sam Harvey, who finished third in the 195-pound weight class. Harvey scored 49 points for the Hilltoppers. He defeated wrestlers from Silver High School and Piedra Vista High Schoolbefore losing to Kirtland Central High School’s Caden Hartsfield by fall. Harvey came back to defeat wrestlers from Belen High School and Taos High School. In a rematch against Hartsfield for third place, Harvey won by decision 9-4 over his rival.
Donovan Atencio, a sophomore, finished fourth in the 113-pound weight class, earning 44 team points.
Donovan Atencio won three matches, including a 6-1 decision over Albuquerque Academy’s Andre Rodriguez. In his fourth match, Atencio was pinned by Albuquerque’s Dominic Medina. In a rematch with Rodriguez in the third-place match, Atencio was pinned to end up finishing fourth.
Eighth-grader Devin Atencio placed sixth at 106 pounds, earning 39 team points. After winning his first four matches, Atencio won his fifth match by injury default against. He lost his next two matches by injury default and forfeited his final match for fifth place.
Sophomore Milo Light finished seventh in the 220-pound weight class, earning 29 team points. Light won his first two matches, then lost his next three. In the seventh-place match, he won a 4-2 decision over Taos’ Jesse Ayala.
Los Alamos’ 152-pound wrestler, Reyes Mendez, took eighth place and scored 28 team points. He won three matches before being pinned by Jason Bemauer of Belen. In the seventh-place match, Mendez was pinned by Bernaillo High School’s Luis Teran.
Neil DeHerrera finished eighth at 132 pounds. He won four matches before being pinned by Cirrail Allison of Farmington. In the seveth-place match, DeHerrera lost to Taos’ Brandon Montoya in a close 3-2 decision.
Other wrestlers competing for the Hilltoppers were: Ty Nieto, 12th at 126 pounds. Damian Gonzales, 15th at 120 pounds. Jacob Thompson, 15th at 170 pounds. Lewis Harvey, 17th at 138 pounds. James Rodriguez, 24th at 145 pounds. Dylan Irish, 24th at 160 pounds. John Dimarino, 24th at 182 pounds.
The Hilltoppers finished behind District 2-5A rival Capital High School (2nd with 452.5 points) and Albuquerque Academy (13th with 266 points.
