Eagles, Jaguars set for North/South Basketball Shootout

Belen

The host of the North/South Shootout rotates annually between a handful of schools, and this year the spin of the wheel lands on Belen.

Starting Thursday, Jan. 8, the BHS gymnasium will feature boys varsity and junior varsity games over three days.

“The North/South is a great tournament,” said BHS coach Donald Marquez. “It’s a good chance for us northern teams to compete against those southern teams to see where we’re at with each other,” and improve position for the postseason.

Five teams that played last year in the 4A State Championship are entered — Belen, Lovington, Goddard, Taos and state titlist Artesia, which is among the favorites again this season. Valencia is also in the tournament, which has preset match ups unlike a regular bracket-tournament. The Shootout does not crown a champion.

“It’s a cool tournament,” said Jesse Hathoot, VHS coach. “More teams from around the state should consider doing it.”

There is a lot to like about the shootout from Hathoot’s perspective, including competition against 4A teams and a JV event at the same time.

“We can stick to our routine of floating kids,” who play both varsity and JV, Hathoot said. JV players “are still going to get their games in.”

Each team, varsity and junior varsity, will play three contests.

North/South schedule

11 a.m., Thursday: (V) Lovington vs. Belen

12:30 p.m., Thursday: (JV) Lovington vs. Belen

5 p.m., Thursday: (JV) Artesia vs. Valencia

6:30 p.m., Thursday: (V) Artesia vs. Valencia

3 p.m., Friday: (JV) Valencia vs. East Mountain

4:30 p.m., Friday: (V) Valencia vs. Goddard

6 p.m., Friday: (JV) Artesia vs. Belen

7:30 p.m., Friday: (V) Artesia vs. Belen

9 a.m., Saturday: (JV) Lovington vs. Valencia

10:30 a.m., Saturday: (V) Lovington vs. Valencia

3 p.m., Saturday: (JV) East Mountain vs. Belen

4:30 p.m., Saturday: (V) Goddard vs. Belen