The old Cliché in basketball says it's hard to beat a team three times. That cliché was a real fact for the Pirates this past Monday night.
After defeating the Belen Eagles 61-60 in overtime in the regular season at the end of January the Pirates also defeated them last week (February 18) for a second time, 7166. This past Monday night the Pirates were unable to get the 3-peat against Belen.
“It’s always tough to beat a good team multiple times—and beating Belen six straight going back to last season was no small feat,” said GHS head coach Landon Chavez. “We knew they’d come out with urgency– and they did.”
Belen, according to Chavez, played like “their season was on the line,” and were up 14-8 after 1 quarter. The Pirate defense tightened up in the second quarter and the score at the half was 17-16 Grants up 1 at the half.
Both teams went on an offensive shootout in the 3rd quarter amassing 18 points each for a third quarter score of 35-34.
In the crucial fourth quarter both teams fought a tenacious battle ending up in the first overtime, 48-48.
John “JJ” Horacek poured in three treys in that quarter and on crucial trey put the Pirates up two points, 48-46. Belen scored and tied it up 48 all. In the first overtime both teams seesawed back and forth and ended up tied 53all. In the second overtime, the Pirates lost their momentum and Belen capitalized on turnovers and missed shots to come out with the win, 71-63.
“The double overtime games are all about grit—we had chances to win— but momentum shifts went their way,” said Chavez.
“I’m proud of how our guys battled—they never quit—-and that fight will serve us well moving forward.”
With that the Pirates exit the district tournament.
The Pirates end district play in third place in district 5-4A and with a record of 13-14, 4-5. St. Pius with a record of 20-5, 8-0 is the district champion and ranked number one in the state in the rankings and coaches’ poll. Second in the district is last year’s state champion, Highland High School, with a record of 1413, 5-4. Highland is ranked sixth in the rankings and eighth in the coach’s poll.
“Now it's all about recovery— we need to rest up and refocus,” said Chavez. “We’re likely a 12 or 13 seed which means hitting the road—that’s a challenge but we have thrived in tough environments all season.”
Chavez concluded by stating, “We’re excited for the opportunity to chase the blue trophy and make a run in the tournament.”
The Pirates are currently ranked 13th in the maxpreps.com rankings and 12th in the nmovertimesports. com coaches poll.
Chavez and his team eagerly await now the New Mexico Activities Association seeding this upcoming Sunday to see where they are placed in 4A state seeding for the state basketball tournament.
Lady Pirates
The Lady Pirates are 10-16 and 2-6 and will play Highland. The are currently ranked 13th in the maxpreps. com rankings and 12th in the nmovertimesports. com coaches poll.
Chavez and his team eagerly await now the New Mexico Activities Association seeding this Sunday to see where they are placed in 4A state seeding for the state basketball tournament. On February 25 on the road in the first game of the district tournament.
The Lady Pirates 1016, 2-6 and will play Highland (13-13,3-5) on February 25th on the road.
L-A District Basketball
The lady Hawks clinched the district championship by winning out in the regular season by going 9-1 in districts. They made quick work of Dulce, the last district game of the season, by defeating them 5112 completing a 7-game win streak. District play will start later this week. A schedule was not available as of press time. The lady Hawks went 19-7 in the regular season and are ranked 9th in the maxpreps. com state rankings for girls 2A basketball.
The L-A boys basketball team finished 12-15, 74 and finished 3rd in the district behind. The Hawks will travel to Dulce (14-11, 8-2) on February 26th in the district to play in the district tournament.
Billiman Takes Sixth at State
Dakota Billiman for the GHS Lady Pirates wrestling team was the sole wrestler to place at the state wrestling tournament last week. Billiman wrestling at 100-pounds and placed sixth. Billiman was defeated by Vanessa Ramos (44-5) of Albuquerque High School by a fall in 1:56. Billiman finished with a record 28-11.
Franklin Romero - CC