“Basketball Wrapping up District Play”

The Grants High School boys’ basketball team is 9-14, 2-6 after a pair of losses this past week. The Pirates traveled to the Duke City to take on district rival the St. Pius Sartans on February 17 and after leading in the first quarter 13-11 they trailed by only 1 point, 26-25, at the half. In the third quarter, which has been the nemesis for the Pirates as of late, the Sartans increased their lead to ten points, 42-32. The fourth and final quarter the Pirates defensively were unable to contain the St. Pius offense and lost that game 65-50.

On Friday, February 18, the Pirates traveled to the Hub City to take on Belen High School. The Pirates trailed the Eagles 12-9 at the end of the first quarter and continued to trail 27-23 at the half. The Eagles were able to add seven more points to their lead in the third quarter to make the score 43-32 at the end of 3 quarters. The Pirates were able to tighten up in the fourth quarter and match Belen on points, 15 points apiece, however, they were unable to overcome the earlier Belen lead and fell the Eagles, 58-47. The Pirates in fourth place in district 5 4A will start play in the district tournament on Tuesday, February 22 at 6 pm as they will travel to Belen High School and face off with the Belen Eagles for a third time this season. In district boys’ basketball in district 5-4A the Highland Hornets, currently ranked number one in the state, are also at the top of the district with a record of 21-3, 8-0. The St. Pius Sartans at 15-7, 5-3 are in second place followed by the Belen Eagles at 15-10, 4-4 who are in third place. Valencia High School at 6-19, 1-7 is at fifth place.

Lady Pirates

The lady Pirates played the lady Sartans of St. Pius on Thursday, February 17 and defeated them by a score of 46-34. Then on Friday, February 18, they defeated the lady Eagles of Belen, 42-33. On Monday February 21, the lady Pirates played St. Pius High School once again in their first round of the district tournament and lost that game by a score of 48-35. The lady Pirates wrap up their season with a record of 8-16, 3-5.

The Pirates are fourth in district 5 4-A just ahead of the lady Eagles of Belen (1-25, 0-9) and behind St. Pius 10-11, 4-4, the Lady Jaguars of Valencia 16-10, 6-3 and Highland High School who leads the district with a record of 19-5, 8-0.