GRANTS, N.M. - The Grants High School Boys Basketball Team is 3-2 after splitting their last two games.
On December 9 the Pirates hosted a tough St. Michaels’ team and at the end of 4 fast paced quarters the Pirates lost that contest, 74-62.
The Pirates made a game of it as they battled back from being down 4331 at the half. In fact, in the 4th quarter they came within two points, 64-62, however, they were unable to cross the finish line with a “W”. While St. Michaels had a lot of height and depth; the tenacious Pirates press and defense frustrated the Horsemen. The Pirates for their part needed more offense to get the job done.
The Pirates were 18 of 27 from the free throw line that night.
Sophomore guard Daniel Garcia led the Pirates in scoring with 19 points followed by Coudy Melonas with 10. Meleki Torrez and Cardenio Chavez had 8 a piece and not far behind sophomore point guard Joziah Ortega had seven points to cap of the top scorers. St. Michaels had 4 scorers with double digits that night.
A quick two-day turnaround and the Pirates traveled to play I-40 rival, the Gallup Bengals, on December 11.
The Pirates dominated the first half and went to the locker room with an 11 points lead. That lead evaporated on a re-energized Bengal team and both teams were off to the races in a fast-paced game. The Pirates were able to put it together enough to enjoy a 55-48 win on the bus ride back.
Elijah Marquez led the charge that night with 25 points including three treys, followed by Coudy Melonas with 12 points and Daniel Garcia with 10 quiet points. Gallup's top scorers were Jason Bruner with 20 points and Kelton Edison with 12 points.
Next up for the Pirates will be Rehoboth Christian (3-2) on Thursday, December 18 on the road then they will host Zuni (5-2) on December 19.
The Lady Pirates won their last two games on the road.
On December 9 they defeated Zuni (2-2) by a score of 80-53.
On December 12, the Lady Pirates defeated Bloomfield 47-36. Next up for the Lady Pirates will be Aztec (3-3) at home on December 16 then they travel to Colorado to take on Lady Demons of Durango (1-4 ) on December 18 at a 12 p.m. game.
The Laguna-Acoma boys basketball team is currently 1-7 and will play a tough Menaul Panthers (5-3) team on December