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Senior Nicholas Miera, 10, with a lay-up as teammates look on at a recent game against the Belen Eagles at the Port of the Pirates. Franklin Romero - CC
District play is in full swing this week as the Grants High School boys’ basketball team, currently 9-10 and 2-2 went 1-1 this week. The lady Pirates (6-14, 1-3) also split last week as both teams start wrapping up their district play this next week.
The GHS boys basketball team hosted district rival, the Belen Eagles, on Tuesday, February 1 and lost that game by a score of 51-44. Belen went on a 16-9 lead it the first quarter and by the half Belen lead by seven points, 31-24. In the second half the Pirates tightened up the score however were unable to overcome the Belen lead to make the final score 51-44. In the Belen game, Colton Moore was high scorer for the Pirates at 14 points followed by Boudy Melonas with 10 points and Nico Miera with 8 points.
The Pirates hosted St. Pius on Saturday, October 5, and after a close game with Belen, they were rested and eager for a victory. The Pirates lagged behind the Sartans in the first half, 10-2, in what looked like another long night for the Pirates. In the second quarter, the Pirates hit three treys that gave them momentum to outscore the Sartans by 10 points to put the Pirates in the lead at halftime 14-12. In the third quarter St. Pius scored 17 points to the Pirates 19 points for a 33-29 lead for the Pirates. The in the fourth and final quarter the Pirates outscored the Sartans by 3 points for a final score of 52-45. In the St. Pius game Isaiah Hernandez was high scorer with 16 points followed by Boudy Melonas with 12 points and William Archuleta with 9 points.
The lady Pirates defeated the lady Eagles of Belen by a score of 64-34. “We were able to bet back to practice and focus on defense and offense—that helped us get that game against Belen,” said GHS lady Pirates head coach, Douglas “Dougie” Hickman. The lady Pirates who missed two days of practice due to inclement weather struggled against the lady Sartans of St. Pius (12-6, 2-2) on Friday, February 4 at the port of the Pirates. The lady Pirates were tied up 12-12 at the end of the first quarter and were only down three points at the half, 30-27. The Pirates were down 47-40 at the end of the third quarter and ended the game with an 11-point loss, 68-57. “St Pius, we struggled--we turned the ball over more than normal and if affected our play,” said Hickman.
The Pirates have four games left of their district schedule and will play those games next week. The GHS boys Pirate basketball team, 2-2 in district play, is currently in third place in district 5, 4-A basketball just behind St. Pius High School (2-2) and Highland High School (5-0) who is first in the district. In girls basketball the lady Pirates are in fourth place in district 5, 4-A. Highland High School at 5-0 is number one followed by Valencia High School 4-1, St. Pius 2-2 and the Grants 1-3. Belen High School at 0-6 is the last in the district.
Next game for both Pirates teams will be Friday, February 11 when the boys program travels to Valencia High School (5-17, 0-5) and the lady Pirates will host the lady Jaguars of Valencia High School (14-8, 4-1).
Grants High School basketball standings
Pirate Boys Varsity League
2-2 (3rd, 4A District 5)
Overall
9-10
Home: 2-4
Away: 4-3
Lady Pirate Varsity League
2-2 (3rd, 4A District 5)
Overall
9-10
Home: 2-4
Away: 4-3
Laguna-Acoma Hawks Basketball
Hawk Boys Varsity League
0-0 (4th 2A District 1)
Overall
1-12
Home:0-9
Away: 1-3
Lady Hawks Varsity League
0-0 (4th 2A District 1)
Overall
11-3
Home: 6-2
Away: 2-0