Shootout Preps Eagles, Jags for District Basketball Action

BELEN — There were ups and downs for the Belen and Valencia boys basketball teams at the North/South Shootout at the BHS gym, but the three games that each played against competition from outside the area should pay dividends as district play begins next week.

“It was a really good three days for us,” said Jesse Hathoot, VHS coach.

The Jaguars (10-6) defeated Roswell Goddard (39-29) and Lovington (73-52) and challenged top ranked and defending 4A champion Artesia before falling 39-35.

VHS led the Bulldogs 27-23 starting the fourth quarter before losing by four.

“I’m proud of the way our kids have been battling,” noted Hathoot.

A high point for Valencia individually came during Saturday’s victory over Lovington, when Jared Porter tied a school record with 31 points.

“That was pretty cool,” Hathoot said of the standard.

Porter now shares the record with Jacob Mattox, who is now an assistant coach on the VHS girls team.

“Jared works really hard, he puts in a lot of time,” the coach said.

With the game in hand, Porter was on the bench with about 30 seconds left in the game. That’s when Hathoot was told the senior guard was close to the record.

Porter was put back in, made two free throws to tie the mark, and was substituted out.

“I’m happy for him,” Hathoot said. “He deserves success.”

Most teams, including Valencia, have been dealing with illness and injuries, but Belen has been hit particularly hard.

BHS (9-7) opened with a convincing victory over Lovington (75-52), fell to Artesia 60-33 and then ended the weekend with a narrow 52-49 setback to Goddard.

The Eagles “had five guys out” in the final game against the Rockets, said coach Donald Marquez.

“We’re playing wounded right now,” Marquez said. “I don’t think we’ve had a complete team in one game this season.”

Despite that, BHS rallied from a nine point deficit with less than two minutes remaining and had a chance to go into overtime against Goddard. However, a three-point shot to tie was off the mark.

The game-experience some underclassmen have been getting could be an asset as district action gets underway.

“We’re battling and playing hard,” the coach said. “I’m just very proud of how the kids are doing.”

While the Shootout, with preset games throughout, did not crown a champion, Artesia was the only team to go through the three days unbeaten.

Also in the field was Taos. A North/South Shootout for junior varsity squads was also held at the BHS gymnasium.

There is no rest for either Belen or Valencia.

On Tuesday, VHS (11-6) defeated Capital 66-52. The Jaguars start District 5-4A next Tuesday at home against Grants.

BHS (10-7) won at Menaul 88-72 and visits Gallup Thursday. The first District 5-4A contest for the Eagles is next Tuesday when St. Pius pays a visit.

Los Lunas (5-11) has a busy week before District 5-5A play starts Tuesday at home against West Mesa.

Monday, the Tigers lost 67-55 at Alamogordo and Wednesday visited Volcano Vista past the News-Bulletin print deadline. LLHS hosts ATC of Santa Fe on Saturday in the final pre-district game.