Assistant Coach Jacob Archuleta has a final cheer before sending the Topper Girls onto the court to face the Santa Fe Demonettes in the Tony Roybal Memorial Gym Tuesday evening. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Rebecca Green tries for a shot but is fouled by a Demonette defender under the Topper basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By RJ Montaño
Los Alamos Daily Post
rjmontano@ladailypost.com
SANTA FE – The Los Alamos Hilltopper girl’s basketball team dropped a non-district game to Santa Fe High School 46-35 on Tuesday night.
The ‘Toppers plagued with turnovers and poor shooting in the first half struggled to make a basket for 4 and 6 minute stretches. Los Alamos was able to get open looks, but was unable to convert those into buckets.
On the other side of the ball, the ‘Toppers had no answer in the first half for a Lady Demon who shot lights out. Santa Fe went 6-11 from the three-point line in the first two quarters.
Halftime adjustments were able to get the ‘Toppers back into the game. Los Alamos held the Lady Demons to four third quarter points and cut the lead to 8 points with 3:41 to go in the game. Santa Fe regained their composure and went on an 8-0 run to put the game away.
“We had good looks, but the shots weren’t falling tonight. We can’t keep getting down and trying to play catch up,” Head Coach Josh Archuleta said. “We need to get better production out of the post players, the high percentages shots need to fall in.”
Los Alamos attempted 45 shots, but only managed to score 35 points on the night.
A bright spot for the ‘Toppers was Senior Ashley Atencio. Demons Junior guard Taylor Salazar chipped in 12 points in the first half to lead Santa Fe. Los Alamos made a defensive adjustment in the second half putting Atencio on Salazar. Atencio held Salazar to one field goal in the second half while flustering the junior guard. Salazar finished with 20 points on the night.
“Ashley did a great job on [Salazar] in the second half. She is probably our best defender, and sacrifices on offense,” Archuleta said about Atencio’s play.
Los Alamos returned to action Thursday at the Albuquerque Academy Joe Armijo Tournament. The ‘Toppers take on 6A’s top team in the Las Cruces Bulldawgs to open play.
Becca Green, 00, and Natalie Gallegos,11, try to block a shot under the Demonette basket in the first period. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Susana Gallegos tries to grab a rebound from a Demonette defender under the Topper basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Jenna Harris gets the shot off in spite of a block attempt. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Natalie Gallegos is blocked in her attempt to get the shot off. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Alix Hailey tries to steal the ball from the SF player near the out of bounds mark. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Natalie Gallegos tries to take a shot and is nearly kicked in the back. Is that legal? Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
