The Lady Toppers take to the floor to play the Hope Christian Lady Huskies this past Tuesday evening at Griffith Gym. Once again the Toppers were to face a top ranked opponent and the Lady Huskies wasted no time taking control of the game and were victors 65-35. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.comBy RJ Montaño
Los Alamos Daily Post
Down three players to injury, including their best defender in senior Ashley Atenico, the Los Alamos Hilltopper girls’ basketball team dropped a lopsided game 65-35 to Hope Christian School. The Huskies are ranked 7 th in 4A going into the contest.
Both teams got off to a sluggish start with Hope Christian holding an 8-5 lead after the first quarter. The offense woke up in the second quarter as ‘Topper Alex Calderon hit a pair of three-point baskets to lead Los Alamos going in to the halftime break.
For Hope Christian, freshman Hayley Valencia led the way, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the second quarter. The Huskies came out on fire in the second half, outscoring the ‘Toppers 22-5. Huskies Megan Trout hit a trio of three-pointers, all wide-open shots, to lead Hope Christian.
The fourth quarter was more of the same as the ‘Toppers could never find a rhythm despite throwing multiple lineups at the Huskies. Defensively, Los Alamos never gave up, even when they were down by 30 points.
For Los Alamos, Calderon led the way with 10 points. Janee Montoya chipped in 7, and Becca Green added 5 points for the ‘Toppers. Los Alamos has a quick turnaround as they host St. Pius on Thursday night.
Standing With Aztec
Before the varsity girls’ basketball game, the school held a moment of silence for the two students who were tragically killed in a school shooting at Aztec High School.
The ‘Topper cheer squad stood with their arms linked and held a sign that read “#AztecStrong” and “#UnitedWeStand.”
Hanna Sanchez tries to steal the ball from a Lady Huskie player. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Rebecca Green, left and Natalie Gallegos fight for control of a rebound under the Topper basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Natalie Gallegos reaches for a loose ball under the Topper basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Mattie Ruminer, left Natalie Gallegos and Marine Espanoza closely guard a Lady Huskie offensive player under the Huskie basket. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Janee Montoya goes in for a layup attempt in the fourth quarter. She was one of the Topper high scorers. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com