Jags roll, Tigers slip in key clashes

A pair of showdowns between highly-ranked girls basketball teams, with major district title implications, highlighted Tuesday’s schedule featuring Valencia County schools.

Girls basketball

No. 6 Los Lunas (18-3, 2-1) had its lowest scoring output of the season, falling 52-39 on the road to District 5-5A rival and fourth-ranked Albuquerque High (15-3, 2-0).

In District 5-4A, sixth-ranked Valencia (14-5, 2-0) led wire-to-wire against No. 9 St. Pius (10-9, 2-1) 57-30.

Belen (7-13, 0-2) is off until back-to-back district games, at home to Grants on Monday, and Tuesday at VHS.

The Grants contest was moved from Friday to allow BHS to prepare to host Saturday’s Kirby Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Boys basketball

Sixth-ranked Valencia (13-7, 1-1) fell 51-49 at St. Pius (8-11, 1-2). On Friday, VHS hosts No. 2 Highland and Tuesday visits Belen. BHS (11-9, 1-1) is idle until Friday at Grants.

In District 5-5A, Los Lunas (6-15, 0-3) hosted AHS (12-7, 2-0), a 59-36 setback.