Pirate B-Ball Teams Begin Districts

  • Pirate B-Ball Teams Begin Dis
    Pirate B-Ball Teams Begin Dis
  • Senior Isaiah Griego (23), of the Grants Pirates varsity basketball team, steadies himself for a trey at a recent home game. The ninth ranked Pirates will take on the 10th ranked Valencia Jaguars (10-7) on Tuesday, January 23 on the road in their district opener. The Lady Pirates (3-13) will host the Lady Jaguars of Valencia (10-7) on Tuesday Jan. 23 as they also begin district play. Franklin Romero - CC
    Senior Isaiah Griego (23), of the Grants Pirates varsity basketball team, steadies himself for a trey at a recent home game. The ninth ranked Pirates will take on the 10th ranked Valencia Jaguars (10-7) on Tuesday, January 23 on the road in their district opener. The Lady Pirates (3-13) will host the Lady Jaguars of Valencia (10-7) on Tuesday Jan. 23 as they also begin district play. Franklin Romero - CC
  • Senior Manuel Gonzales dominating a recent wrestling match at St. Pius High School. Gonzales placed third in the 127-pound weight class at that meet Courtesy Photo
    Senior Manuel Gonzales dominating a recent wrestling match at St. Pius High School. Gonzales placed third in the 127-pound weight class at that meet Courtesy Photo

It wasn’t that long ago it was Christmas and New Year’s. Before you know it it’s district basketball season. Cibola County teams are starting their district play this week on Tuesday, January 23.

The Grants High School boys’ basketball team went 0-3 last week and are currently 12-6. They lost to the Hope Huskies (10-6) by a score of 82-52, then lost to Capital High School (11-5) by a score of 79-57. The Pirates more recent game on January 19 to St. Michael’s High School (8-8) was a close twopoint loss, 69-67.

GHS head coach Landon Chavez said, “Tough losses to Hope Christian, Capital, and St. Mikes—it was an emotionally draining week—but ultimately it tested our resilience and how we would respond.”

Chavez noted that the Pirates struggled with shooting against Hope and Capital, however, they bounced back against St. Michaels in that twopoint loss. “These tough games will pay dividends as we get into district and face some difficult games,” said Chavez.

District play will not be much easier as they start district play—four teams are in the top 10 rankings–including the number one ranked team the 13-4 Highland Hornets and the fifth ranked St. Pius Sartans (8-8), 10th ranked Valencia High School and ninth ranked Grants Pirates.

Their first district game will be against Valencia High School (10-7) on Tuesday, January 23 on the road. “They [Valencia] are always difficult to beat at home—during my tenure I’ve never beat Valencia on the road, led by Estrada they are a very well-rounded team.”

The Lady Pirates are 3-13 as they start their district season, as well with the Lady Jaguars of Valencia (10-7) at home on January 23.

The Lady Hawks of Laguna-Acoma High School are currently 7-6 and will play a non-district game against Del Norte High School (6-8) at home on January 23.

The L-A boys’ basketball team is 2-14 after a recent 54-47 win over Crownpoint High Shool (2-12).

Wrestling Update

The GHS wrestling team participated this past week at the Sartan Scuffle and placed 11th out of 19 teams with a team score of 86.5 points. Notables were senior Larry Meador, whom placed first in the 145-pound weight class after defeating Mycah Gachupin (St. Pius) by a fall 2:58.

Manuel Gonzales, also a senior, placed third in the 125-pound weight class.

Ty Mahkee placed fourth in the 285-pound weight class.

Danika Wilson placed fourth in the 235-pound weight class.

Jaylene Morin placed sixth in the 152-pound weight class.