By: Gavin Gallegos, Athletics Editor
UNM’s THE PIT – What an exciting time to be a Matador! The girls' basketball team clinched the New Mexico state championship for Class 5A in a thrilling showdown against the Volcano Vista High School Hawks on Saturday at UNM’s The Pit. In a nail-biting game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Matadors secured their victory with a final score of 49-45 earning themselves that coveted blue NMAA trophy.
Recently named New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, Sydney Benally showed up and showed out for her team. Contributing an impressive 35 points, (a little over 70% of the team’s total) Benally was a standout player throughout this game. This championship victory marks the first state title for the Matadors since 2017. In an interview with the Albuquerque Journal, Benally described, “In the moment, everything hit me, all those early morning practices, late night workouts, just everything paying off and knowing that god’s in the works.”
From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, it was evident that both teams were hungry for the championship title. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with neither side willing to concede an inch. Every basket was hard-earned, and then fiercely matched. As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, with the game hanging in the balance, the Matadors came together and secured the victory. With the game being tied for a total of nine times and each team’s time with the lead being about 13 minutes each, this truly was a close, second half game. The Matadors scored a total of 35 points in the second half compared to the Hawks’ 29 points.
Despite the formidable challenge presented by the Hawks, the Matadors remained composed under pressure, executing their game plan with precision. Their determination and resilience ultimately paid off as they emerged, much to the delight of their passionate fans in attendance at the Pit. In an NMAA press conference, Head Coach Lee Kettig expressed, “This team is one of the ones you feel like is gonna find a way, the state tournament comes down to, you know, woman on woman battles…shots weren't falling, we started to attack the basket, started getting up and playing defense and good things happened.” In the aftermath of their hard-fought win, celebrations erupted among players, coaches, fellow students, and supporters alike. For the Matadors, this victory represents the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.
As they take in the glory of their state championship victory, the Sandia High School girls' basketball team can take pride in their remarkable achievement. With their eyes set on future success, the Matadors are assured to build on the win and continue their winning legacy for years to come.
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* Photographer: Gavin Gallegos
Source: G2 Studios
Copyright: © 2024 G2 Studios All Rights Reserved.
Created: March 17, 2024
Caption: Sandia High School Girls Basketball Team celebrates victory of 2024 NMAA 5A State Championship Title
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