Lady Steers Keep Winning

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

MAGDALENA -- The #2-ranked Magdalena Lady Steers remained undefeated with a resounding 88-8 home district victory against the Temple-Baptist Academy Lady Roadrunners (2-11, 0-5) on Feb. 4 as they improved to 18-0 overall and 6-0 in district play.
The Lady Steers looked more like the roadrunners in this game. They sprinted to a 10-0 lead before Temple-Baptist scored their first basket with 5:40 left in the 1st quarter. By the end of the 1st quarter, Magdalena lead 37-2.
Magdalena's man-to-man defense and fast breaking defense proved far too much for Temple-Baptist's inexperienced team to handle. At halftime, the lead increased to 58-4, with Temple-Baptist's second score coming with :55 in the half.
Coach Wally Sanchez said, “We played a real young Temple team. They have a new coach who is trying to turn the program around. But they never did quit and kept working.”
Even with a running clock (mercy rule) in the entire second half, things weren't much different. Magdalena led 73-8 after three quarters.
Eleven of the 13 Magdalena players scored three points or more.
Camille Mansell led the way with 22 points. Team Captain Nicole Hardy had 15 points and Alicia Armijo had 12 points.
Sanchez is concerned about his upcoming district games. “Gallup Catholic, Menaul, To'Hajiilee, and Pine-Hill -- those four teams on any given night could beat anybody. Right now, they're just beating each other.
“We just can't let them sneak up on us and give us a loss, because they are all capable. These last games are very, very important.”
Magdalena also hosted and beat non-district opponent Bosque School 55-18 on Feb. 6. Magdalena had three players score in double figures: Nicole Hardy (24 points), Camille Mansell (12 points), and Keanda Chavez (10 points).
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Magdalena hit the road to play Alamo Navajo School (1-11, 0-4). Magdalena won the district game 76-38 for its 19th win of the season and 7-0 in district play. Camille Mansell led the way with 30 points. Jennifer Matai scored 12 points. Keanda Chavez and Nicole Hardy each had 10 points.
Magdalena's next games are on Thursday, Feb. 11 at Temple-Baptist, Saturday, Feb. 13 at home against Pine Hill, and Tuesday, Feb. 16 at home against To'Hajiilee.

Lady Steers Keep Winning