For the Mountain Mail
MAGDALENA – The third-ranked Magdalena Steers (16-0, 5-0) remained undefeated by beating district foe Menaul (13-6, 3-2) 69-36 on Jan. 30.
Coach Wally Sanchez and his team were glad to get back to playing again after a number of games had been postponed or canceled recently. Sanchez felt his team being a “little bit flat.”
Magdalena opened the first quarter with balanced scoring and full-court pressing. Nicole Hardy, Camille Mansell and Kameron Armstrong contributed four points or more as Magdalena raced to a 17-5 lead.
The Lady Steers built their margin to 28-15 at halftime as Magdalena’s defense kept Menaul’s top scoring threat Haleigh Glass away from the basket and in early foul trouble.
“The first quarter we looked pretty good and then we let it go to our head,” Sanchez said. “We started getting sloppy and throwing the ball away. We started substituting. Some of the girls needed a wakeup call and they responded. The kids that went in there did a good job, even added a few extra points.”
Magdalena’s starters in the third quarter and responded too. Karly Chavez (10 points) and Nicole Hardy (eight points) led the way with their scoring and defense. The Lady Steers outscored the Lady Panthers 26-4 in the quarter to build their lead to 54-20.
Sanchez substituted freely in the fourth quarter as the Lady Steers cruised to the win.
Saanchez told his players: “In the third quarter, you play some defense and you’ll be in there until you’re tired. We stepped it up a couple of notches and took it to them.
“I got a great feel for this team. I think this team can go a long way. We’ve started in district playing pretty tough. We’ve just got to come every night to play and not get surprised by one of these other teams.”
Menaul’s first-year coach Elijah Shackelford said: “We handled their pressure better than they thought. We just didn’t have the bodies to keep up with the constant barrage of players that they sent at us. We’re a young team, so it’s a learning process.”
Shackleford commented on the rematch, which will be the last game of the regular season later this month.
“Hopefully, we’ll gain a little bit more on them. Magdalena is a quality team with a nice long tradition. We’re just trying to start and catch up with these types of teams.”
Magdalena had four players in double figures – Keanda Chavez (16 points), Hardy (14 points), Karly Chavez (11 points) and Camille Mansell (10 points).
Glass had 11 points to lead Menaul.
On Jan. 29, Magdalena defeated Ramah 79-34.
The Lady Steers will be home against Temple Baptist on Feb. 4 and against the Bosque School on Feb. 6. On Feb. 9, they will play at the Alamo Navajo School.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment