Steers Roll Through District

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

MAGDALENA -- The Magdalena Steers basketball team won their fourth game in a row and improved to 13-4 overall and 5-1 in district play. On Thursday, Feb. 4, Magdalena beat the Temple-Academy Roadrunners 66-37 at Magdalena Gym.
Magdalena and Temple-Baptist (3-10, 1-5) battled for the lead for much of the first quarter.
Magdalena's big men than took over in the middle. Senior Bryce Milligan and Sophomore Miles Parscal together scoring 13 points. Reg Peralto added two of his five total three pointers in the game and giving Magdalena a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Temple-Baptist's bench was not enough to overcome Magdalena's bench strength and full-court press. Temple-Baptist suited up only seven players, who Magdalena soon wore out. Magdalena kept hitting short jumpers and layups and went on to lead at halftime 35-18.
Magdalena continued to shoot well over Temple-Baptist's 2-3 zone defense.
Reg Peralto kept them honest and opened up the middle by scoring on two more three pointers. Milligan added 8 points to his total. Gene Leseberg and Ryan Alguire combined for 10 points in the second half, with Alguirre scoring one of his baskets on a beautiful reverse layup. Magdalena led 51-25 at the end of the third quarter and cruised in for the win.
Peralto had scoring honors with 20 points. Bryce Milligan had a strong 18 points inside.
Coach Jory Mirabal commented about the game, “I thought the boys came out and played a really good game. We played some good defense and made some good stops. We played as a team on offense and got some good shots. Everybody contributed.”
Going into the last district games the next two weeks, Coach Mirabal says, “I feel good about the team right now. We're playing good basketball. It's just a matter of maintaining it and fix some of the little problems, keep winning at home and hopefully get some of those on the road.”
Magdalena also beat host Alamo Navajo School 71-47 on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Magdalena now stands at 6-1 in district play. Leading scorers were Bryce Milligan (24 points), Daniel Hand (17 points), and Ryan Alguirre (11 points).
Magdalena's next game is at Temple-Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 11. They than host Pine Hill on Feb. 13 and To'Hajiilee on Feb. 16.

Picture: Coach Jory Mirabol talks with his Magdalena players during the Temple Baptist game.
Photo by Nicky Romero.

Steers Roll Through District