Dulce Again for Fifth Time, Quarter Finals

The Laguna-Acoma Hawks girls’ basketball team moved closer to their dream of a state championship after defeating the Menaul Panthers (18-10, 8-2), by a score of 50-42 in the first round of the girls state basketball tournament. 'The girls earned every minute of it,' said L-A head coach Daryl Mariano. 'We were just going to take care of business – we know what they were going to do as we had played them earlier in the season.' Earlier in the season Menaul lost to the Pirates 62-25.

The Hawks led 11 to eight in the first quarter and increased that lead to 25 at the half to Menaul's 15. In the third quarter, Gedman led the Hawks with a stunning 12 points to Menaul's eight points increasing the lead to 37 to 26. In the crucial fourth quarter Menaul came alive and added 16 points to L'-A's 13 points for a final score of 50-42. 'Menaul surprised us with their audacity in the defensive end – they didn't put up many points but on the defensive end they kept us busy,' said Mariano.

High scorers for the Hawks were Gedman with 25 points, Gianna Carillo with 13 points. For Menaul, Charle Boatman had 16 points and Mikayla Sierra had 10 points.

The Lady Hawks of L-A will play the Lady Hawks of Dulce for a fifth time in the girls’ state basketball tournament on Tuesday, March 7, at the Rio Ranch Events Center. 'I think we have an advantage playing on a neutral court – we play better on a neutral site than our home court – we'll stick to what we know best,' said coach Mariano of playing Dulce for a fifth time this season. The Hawks have defeated Dulce in three of the four previous contests. The wins by larger margins were on February 2, 55-33l and on February 20. where they won by a score of 54-41. The other two were a 38-33 loss on February 16 and a narrower win in their most recent game on February 25, where they won at the buzzer with a three-point shot by senior guard Erica Martin, 37-34. 'I keep reminding them (his players) that this is what we are playing for – all the marbles – stay focused and ready to play – we can play with anybody.'