Pojoaque Wins First State Title Since 1984

by NMOTSC

Albuquerque, NM: For the past two seasons the Pojoaque Elks had been eliminated by their District 2-3A opponents the St. Michael’s Horsemen.  With the Horsemen eliminated by West Las Vegas in the semi-finals of the Class 3A State Tournament the Elks felt there was now no reason or excuse not to win their first state title since 1984, and that they did.

The Elks Ryan Gonzales made sure as the senior scored a game high 25 points and came up with a possible game saving block off the shot of West Las Vegas’ Adrian Rivera, as Pojoaque beat the Dons 50-46.

The Elks came out doing what they typically do best, drain the three ball. The Elks first 12 points of the contest were from downtown as they led the Dons early 12-3 and led 16-7 after the first period.

Pressure defense by the Elks led to 18 first half turnovers by the Dons, but West has able to sustain the turnover fest and outscored the Elks 15-14 in the second period, but still trailed 30-22. The Dons cut the Elk lead to 26-22 with about two minutes to play in the half, but a costly turnover on a pass from Kenny Lucero to Adrian Rivera resulted in Pojoaque scoring the last four points of the half.

The Elks managed to outscore the Dons 12-11 in the third period, but in the fourth the Elks opened up a double digit lead of 11 in the fourth period but the Dons responded by cutting the lead to three, 49-46 with two minutes to play, but costly turnovers down the stretch and Pojoaque held of the Dons.

 

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