Pirates Wrap Up 2024–2025

  • Senior Andres Lazos (22) powers through a tackle to score a rushing touchdown, igniting celebration from teammates, coaches, and fans on the sideline. The Pirates defeated Moriarty 19–6 in the 2024 homecoming game—one of the season’s most memorable moments. Franklin Romero - CC
    Senior Andres Lazos (22) powers through a tackle to score a rushing touchdown, igniting celebration from teammates, coaches, and fans on the sideline. The Pirates defeated Moriarty 19–6 in the 2024 homecoming game—one of the season’s most memorable moments. Franklin Romero - CC
  • GHS lady Pirates volleyball team is currently 6-8, 0-0 as they prepare to start district play next week. The lady Pirates recently defeated Espanola Valley 3-2 on September 28th. The match scores were 25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 22-25 and 15-6. The lady Pirates will host Aztec on October 1st 6-3, 0-0 to wrap up nondistrict play. In this file photo Blanca Murillo,9, leaps high to return the ball against Del Norte High School in a recent match. Franklin Romero - CC
    GHS lady Pirates volleyball team is currently 6-8, 0-0 as they prepare to start district play next week. The lady Pirates recently defeated Espanola Valley 3-2 on September 28th. The match scores were 25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 22-25 and 15-6. The lady Pirates will host Aztec on October 1st 6-3, 0-0 to wrap up nondistrict play. In this file photo Blanca Murillo,9, leaps high to return the ball against Del Norte High School in a recent match. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Boudy Melonas charges forward as the Grants Pirates bench erupts in support during a highlight moment from the 2023– 24 football season. GHS earned a 7th seed in the 4A State Playoffs this year, capping off a competitive and hard-fought campaign. As the academic year closes, the Pirates thank their fans for a season of strong support at the Port of the Pirates. Franklin Romero - CC
    Boudy Melonas charges forward as the Grants Pirates bench erupts in support during a highlight moment from the 2023– 24 football season. GHS earned a 7th seed in the 4A State Playoffs this year, capping off a competitive and hard-fought campaign. As the academic year closes, the Pirates thank their fans for a season of strong support at the Port of the Pirates. Franklin Romero - CC
  • In this photo Siena Salazar,12, dribbles the soccer ball in a recent game against Highland High School. The lady Pirates lost that contest 5-0. They are currently 3-12, 1-6. The GHS boys Pirates lost their contest to the Highland Hornets by a score of 10-0. The GHS boys soccer team is currently 3-12, 0-7. The GHS volleyball team is currently 8-11, 1-3 after 3-0 win over Highland High School and a 0-3 loss to Belen High School. Franklin Romero - CC
    In this photo Siena Salazar,12, dribbles the soccer ball in a recent game against Highland High School. The lady Pirates lost that contest 5-0. They are currently 3-12, 1-6. The GHS boys Pirates lost their contest to the Highland Hornets by a score of 10-0. The GHS boys soccer team is currently 3-12, 0-7. The GHS volleyball team is currently 8-11, 1-3 after 3-0 win over Highland High School and a 0-3 loss to Belen High School. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Senior Boudy Melonas (3) sinks a shot during a home game earlier this season, part of a standout campaign that culminated in a rare milestone. Melonas scored his 1,000th career point during the district matchup at Belen last Saturday—a remarkable achievement reflecting four years of consistent leadership and scoring excellence for the Pirates. Congratulations, Boudy!
    Senior Boudy Melonas (3) sinks a shot during a home game earlier this season, part of a standout campaign that culminated in a rare milestone. Melonas scored his 1,000th career point during the district matchup at Belen last Saturday—a remarkable achievement reflecting four years of consistent leadership and scoring excellence for the Pirates. Congratulations, Boudy!
  • The Grants High School softball team poses for a photo on the diamond to close out their 2024 season. The Lady Pirates finished with a 14–10 overall record (3–5 in district play). Their postseason run came to an end with an 18–6 loss to district rival Belen (14–12, 6–2). The team thanks their fans, families, and coaches for a season full of hard work, hustle, and heart.
    The Grants High School softball team poses for a photo on the diamond to close out their 2024 season. The Lady Pirates finished with a 14–10 overall record (3–5 in district play). Their postseason run came to an end with an 18–6 loss to district rival Belen (14–12, 6–2). The team thanks their fans, families, and coaches for a season full of hard work, hustle, and heart.
  • Senior Amy Salazar drives to the hoop during a dominant home victory over Thoreau, where the Lady Pirates rolled to a 47–21 win. The matchup was part of a midseason surge for Grants, including a three-game winning streak that helped define the Lady Pirates’ competitive 2023–24 campaign. Franklin Romero - CC Franklin Romero - CC Franklin Romero - CC
    Senior Amy Salazar drives to the hoop during a dominant home victory over Thoreau, where the Lady Pirates rolled to a 47–21 win. The matchup was part of a midseason surge for Grants, including a three-game winning streak that helped define the Lady Pirates’ competitive 2023–24 campaign. Franklin Romero - CC Franklin Romero - CC Franklin Romero - CC
  • Dominick Gonzales (34) battles in the paint and puts up a shot during a dramatic district tournament matchup against the Belen Eagles. The game stretched into double overtime before Belen edged out a 71–63 win. The Pirates showed grit and heart, closing out their season with one of their most intense performances of the year. Franklin Romero - CC
    Dominick Gonzales (34) battles in the paint and puts up a shot during a dramatic district tournament matchup against the Belen Eagles. The game stretched into double overtime before Belen edged out a 71–63 win. The Pirates showed grit and heart, closing out their season with one of their most intense performances of the year. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Franklin Romero - CC In this file photo, senior center midfielder Fabian Peña showcases his footwork during tryouts ahead of the 2023 season. Peña, who earned All-District Second Team honors, was a key playmaker for the Pirates and helped anchor a competitive campaign on the pitch. Now graduated, Peña leaves behind a legacy of leadership and hustle as Grants High School wraps another strong year of boys soccer.
    Franklin Romero - CC In this file photo, senior center midfielder Fabian Peña showcases his footwork during tryouts ahead of the 2023 season. Peña, who earned All-District Second Team honors, was a key playmaker for the Pirates and helped anchor a competitive campaign on the pitch. Now graduated, Peña leaves behind a legacy of leadership and hustle as Grants High School wraps another strong year of boys soccer.

    The GHS boys and girls’ sports programs wrapped up their season and another year in Cibola County Sports heads off to the sunset. Let’s look at a quick recap of the year The GHS football team had a great season with a record of 6-6,4-3 defeating Silver 22-16 in the first round of the 4A state tournament and then losing to district rival St. Pius 46-14 in the quarterfinals. Returning quarterback Tristin Fernandez will be a senior next year with experience to lead the offense next season. Lady Pirate volleyball will have a change in leadership as April Cash stepped down as head coach and longtime assistant coach Joaquin Jiron will be the new head coach. Last year the lady Pirates went 9-14, 2-6. The GHS boys’ soccer program under head coach John Malcolm went 3-13, 0-8 for the year. The lady Pirates soccer team went 3-13, 1-7 and were coached by Jesse Gamboa.

    GHS boys’ basketball under head Coach Landon Chavez made the state tournament again this year, though, they exited early in the first round with a 72-57 loss to Academy. The Pirates ended their season with a 1315, 4-4. The Lady Pirates girl’s basketball team under first year head coach, Jesi Mandagaran, 10-17, 2-6 . Wrestling, especially girls wrestling, did well and that sport is expected to have much future success.

    The GHS baseball season under the helm of Mike Furbee had a stellar year though an earlier than expected exit from the state tournament. The Pirates, after defeating Silver in a 2-1 in a best of 3 series in the first round, lost to district rival St. Pius in the quarterfinals by a score of 3-2 and accumulated a record 18-10, 5-3. The GHS softball team had one of their best seasons in recent memory going 14-10, 3-5 and just narrowly missing the state tournament. The Lady Pirates are coached by Victor Aldaz. The GHS track team led by Laila Martinez who set a new state record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.65 will be in the forefront for next year for the Pirates in track going into the 2026 season. Jessica Thompson will be retiring as the girls track coach this year. Jesse Gamboa, the GHS boys track coach, will have many up and coming athletes to work with for next year. GHS golf under current head coach Robert Basset is looking to grow. Let’s look forward to the 2025-2026 season.