Smothering defense lifts Tigers past Jaguars

LOS LUNAS — In a battle of highly-ranked girls’ basketball teams, a relentless defense on Saturday carried Los Lunas past Valencia, 37-22, at the LLHS gymnasium.

Jadyn Montoya quickly started the scoring for Valencia (11-5) with a three-pointer from the corner, but that was the Jaguars’ only basket of the first quarter, trailing 6-3.

A frantic pace throughout the contest, highlighted by defensive pressure from both teams, put a premium on scoring. Alyssa Campos managed to find room to knock down a three for the Tigers, but a driving second-quarter layup by eighth-grader Daylani Estrada gave Valencia its last lead of the game. Los Lunas was up 13-12 at halftime.

Valencia continued to struggle in the second half, unable to make a single field goal.

“It’s hard to create shots against them and, when you do, you’ve got to make them,” lamented Raymond Montoya, VHS coach.

“They’ve got good shooters,” said LLHS coach Manny Vigil. “Our emphasis was to run them off the (three point) line and not give them open shots.”

A three-pointer by Vayda Golino and three baskets by freshman post Kayla Finley helped Los Lunas build a 25-16 lead.

“That’s a big thing for me as a freshman, finishing in the paint,” said Finley, who had a game high-tying nine points.

Also with nine points, plus nine rebounds, was LLHS sophomore center Mackenzie Brookins, who turned in a gutsy performance.

In the second quarter, a head-to-head collision with a Valencia player left Brookins with a pain level of “probably a nine out of 10. My front tooth went into my top lip. There’s a hole in it now,” Brookins said after the game.

With a visit to the dentist looming, Brookins returned to the court.

“I just went out with the thought of helping my team win,” she said.

Free throws by Valencia cut the margin to five points in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as the Jaguars would get.

“They have multiple (post players) that they can rotate in. Their guards are super fast and physical,” said Montoya.

Vigil, who is several years removed from being head coach of the VHS girls, likes the competition.

“It’s a good rivalry for the county. Girls basketball is strong here,” he said, adding, “I think Valencia is a great team. That’s a high quality, valuable win.”

Valencia was ranked third in the MaxPreps 4A poll, while Los Lunas was eighth in the 5A rankings.