Tigers can’t find rhythm against Rams

Albuquerque

A group of pesky guards carried No. 3 Rio Rancho (26-4) to a wire-to-wire 42-25 victory Tuesday over No. 6 Los Lunas (24-6) in the quarterfinals of the 5A Girls Basketball State Championship at the Pit.

The Tigers were only 3-20 from the field in the first half, digging a 26-11 hole at the break.

“They had defensive pressure at all positions,” said Manny Vigil, LLHS coach, about the Rams’ pressure. “We were struggling to get any kind of rhythm on offense to start the game. It got a little better.”

RRHS coach Lori Mabry said the Rams not only “played their butts off defensively,” but credited her coaches for a pinpoint scouting report. “We knew the play calls and where they were headed.”

Particularly notable was the effort made against Los Lunas post players Kayla Finley, the team’s leading scorer, and McKenzie Brookins. The pair combined for just two first-half points.

The Tigers did find a little of that “rhythm” in the second half, with Finley finishing with 13 hard earned points.

The 5-11 post was hounded the entire game by 5-4 Daysia Jack, who did an amazing job keeping the ball away from Finley.

“They’re very fast, very smart,” said LLHS guard Vayda Golino about the Rams perimeter trio of Jack, and twin sisters Larissa and Madi Martinez, who led all scorers with 17 points.

“They are very good at just knowing the court and being aware of everything,” she said.

The 42-25 victory puts Rio Rancho into the semifinals Thursday against Volcano Vista, which upset Farmington.

Los Lunas advanced Friday with an opening round 63-33 win over Mayfield, led by Finley’s 35 points.

The Tigers will lose seniors Grace Baca, Jacelyn Baca and Golino next season. Jacelyn Baca missed this year with an injury while Golino joined the team before the district schedule following rehab on a knee injury.

Golino played without her medial collateral ligament (MCL) and her patellar tendon.

“We have full admiration for her,” Vigil said of Golino. “She really helped us out today and down the stretch of the season.”