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Franklin Romero-CC Holiday Hoops! The lady Pirates placed 2nd in the Robert Daily Classic this past weekend at the Port of the Pirates. They went 2 for 3 over the weekend. -
Franklin Romero-CC Eddie Pena 1 – The Grants High School boys JV basketball team claimed first place at the Eddie Pena Holiday Classic after going 3 for 3 over the weekend.
When you think of the holidays, you think of Christmas shopping and Christmas decorating; in Cibola County, you have to think of hoops in that holiday mix as well. This weekend Grants High School boys’ basketball team hosted the Eddie Peña Holiday Classic and the Grant High School girls hosted the Robert Daily Classic. The Eddie Pena Tournament featured a JV tournament instead of a varsity tournament this year.
The lady Pirates opened up with a tough opponent in the first round as the stepped on the court with the lady Rams of Rio Rancho (6-4). The Pirate lost to the rams Friday night, 56-35. “Those tougher games are preparing us for districts,” said lady Pirates head coach Douglas “Dougie” Hickman of that game. “The girls have bought in that and they know what we are focusing improving despite our losses.”
The lady pirates went on to defeat the lady Jaguars of Capital High School (3-7) on Saturday morning by a score of 59-41. Later in the midmorning they handily defeated the lady Skyhawks of Newcomb High School, 54-15. “We used these last two games as opportunities to work on court strategies we had to address,” added Hickman. Aubrey Trujillo and Ebony Chavez were named All Tournament players for the lady Pirates. The lady Pirates improve their record to 2-8 as they Prepare for Farmington High School at a tournament at Hobbs High School next Monday, December 27.
Another reason to leave the hanging of the Christmas lights this past weekend was to watch sophomore Noah Victorino shoot the lights out at the Eddie Pena Holiday Classic. Victorino led the Pirates JV as they went 2 of 3 for the weekend. They ended up taking championship at the Eddie Pena Holiday Classic.
“After taking care of 5A Piedra Vista—we ran into another tough challenge from 5A Farmington—they were able to pull it away from us, “said GHS JV coach Ron Gonzales. The JV defeated Piedra Vista on Friday, 64-40, then on Saturday lost to Farmington, 65-49, then went on to defeat Shiprock 93-31. “Overall, the tournament as a great experience and it was nice to finally play at home after being on the road so much,” added Gonzales.
Noah Victorino was named MVP for the tournament and had 13 points against Piedra Vista, 19 points against Farmington and 20 points against Shiprock. Isaiah Griego, John “JJ” Horacek and Jessie Nieto were named All Tournament.
Sports Wrap-Up
Grants 55, Bernalillo 71
“It was a tough loss, I don’t think the score reflected how well we did in the game, we took a one point lead in the third quarter and to lose by 16—the score is not a true reflection of how well we competed in that game,” said GHS head Coach Landon Chavez of that loss to longtime rival, the Bernalillo Spartans (6-3). The Pirates were led by Isaiah Hernandez in that game who had 22 points.
Grants 61, Moriarty 44
“That was a good game to get bounce back with,” said Chavez of that game. “I think our guys were starting to click a lot more.”
Next up for the Pirates will be the Shiprock Chieftans (4-5) on Thursday, December 22. “I think this is a game we can go out and execute our offense and the little things we have been working on,” said Chavez of that upcoming game. “It will be important for us to go into break with a victory and high morale.”
GRANTS HIGH SCHOOL
Varsity Pirate Boys’ Basketball
5-3 Overall
0-1 Home
3-1 Away
2-1 Neutral
Varsity Lady Pirate Basketball
2-8 Overall
2-4 Home
0-2 Away
0-3 Neutral
Laguna Acoma High School
Hawk Boys’ Basketball
1-8 Overall
0-5 Home
1-3 Away
No neutral games yet.
Lady Hawk Basketball
8-2 Overall
4-1 Home
2-0 Away
2-1 Neutral