Lady Tigers stunned at buzzer in hoop classic

LOS LUNAS — If there is an award for New Mexico girls basketball “Game of the Year,” Saturday’s Albuquerque High (20-3, 6-0) at Los Lunas (21-4, 5-2) showdown would be a strong contender.

After all, it decided the district title, had a stunning individual performance and a long-range buzzer-beater to decide it.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, with a gutty performance of their own, AHS had the edge when the final horn sounded. Bulldogs freshman guard Abby Pavia scored the last of her 39 points, with Grace Baca in her face, on a 25-foot dagger from the right side as time expired.

That gave AHS a 45-42 victory, silencing the boisterous LLHS crowd and sending a large visiting contingent into a frenzy.

“It was solid defense and the kid (Pavia) just made a great shot. And from deep,” said Manny Vigil, LLHS coach.

After falling to No. 4 AHS in their first meeting, sixth-ranked LLHS needed a victory to stay in the District 5-5A race. The Tigers started fast, with Jalexa Ornelas scoring twice as Los Lunas jumped in front 7-0.

In the second quarter, Pavia scored on a steal that turned into a three-point play, giving the Bulldogs their first lead at 14-13. Two treys by Vayda Golino, rounding into shape after a knee injury, put Los Lunas in front 20-14 at the half. Pavia scored the first 20 points for AHS.

In the third quarter, the lead was extended to 13 points on a put-back by Kayla Finley, but two free throws by Pavia with .9 seconds left cut the advantage to 29-27.

“We had opportunities to extend the lead and we just missed little easy shots here and there,” Vigil said.

It also hurt that Ornelas picked up a fourth foul, and was off the court for an extended time.

Another blow came in the final period when post player Mackenzie Brookins went down in the lane, and was helped to the locker room with the Tigers’ fourth knee injury this season. An inside basket by Finley with 15.8 seconds remaining tied the game at 42-42, but AHS pushed the ball quickly up the court, and celebrated as Pavia’s bomb won the game.

“That’s a tough one to swallow,” was the simple reaction from Vigil. Finley described it as, “just disappointing and upsetting, but I know that we’re a good team and we can come back and win from this.”

Win or lose, the atmosphere was electric, with the fans “loud and going at it,” according to Vigil. “These are the games the kids will remember when they’re older.”

The Tigers end the regular season Friday at Rio Grande.

Tuesday, VHS (19-6, 6-1) pulled into a tie in the District 5-4A race with a 49-37 victory over Highland (16-9, 6-1), setting up a possible playoff game for the title. The regular season ends Friday for the Jaguars at Belen. Meanwhile, BHS (7-18, 0-7) was at Grants, a 53-43 loss.

In boys basketball Tuesday in Belen, the Eagles (15-10, 5-2) handled Grants 70-53, while VHS (14-10, 2-4) lost 90-52 at top-ranked Highland. Friday, the Jaguars and Eagles meet at VHS. Also Friday, LLHS (8-17, 2-5) is at home against Rio Grande.