GRANTS, N.M. - It seems it was not that long ago it was 70 degrees and Cibola students were trickor- treating. Fast-forward, we are not entering district play in basketball, though some days do feel like 70 degrees still.
Unlike Halloween there is no candy for the Pirates in district 5 4A–that is one tough district this season.
Highland at 10-4 is ranked second in 4A followed by Valencia (11-6) who is ranked seventh in 4A. Then there is Belen ranked 10th with a 10-8 record and our hometown Pirates fall in at 13th currently with a 10-7. Ohh the list is not done, who remembers St. Pius (7-9), although they do not currently have a top 10 ranked team this year no one should sleep on the Sartans who by the way are ranked 14th just behind Grants.
That's a full buffet of ranked teams the Pirates will have to battle EVERY district game at home and away.
“Finishing 10-7 in the regular season shows our growth this group has made,” said GHS head boys basketball coach Landon Chavez. “We had a few tough losses that could’ve gone the other way—but overall I'm pleased with our progress.”
When asked about his tough district schedule Chavez said, “District is loaded with quality teams—and we have a lot to prove.”
The Pirates wrapped up their last games, going 2-1 last week, just as GHS boys Basketball coach, Landon Chavez expected.
“We planned on going 2-1 and we did,” said Chavez.
The Pirates dueled it out with Hope Christian, ranked 3rd in 4A, on January 12th and lost that game to the 10-6 Huskies by a respectable score of 77-68.
On January 13th they Played Espanola on the road and defeated them 6254 and wrapped up their week with a 85-68 win over former archrival the Bernalillo Spartans (3-15) on Friday, January 16th.
The Pirates start off district play with a road trip to Valencia on Tuesday, January 20 and then host St. Pius on January 23.
“Valenica is a very disciplined team –they shoot the ball well and don’t make many mistakes,” said Chavez. “For us it’s about controlling the tempo, valuing possessions and playing to our potential”.
Valencia went 3-0 in their last three games, and the Pirates will have their hands full.