By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The atmosphere was electric as fans assembled in the UNM Pit for the Class A Girl’s State Championship game between the Ft Sumner/House Vixens and the Roy/Mosquero Lady Blue who were ready to battle as they were looking for revenge after last year’s 51-47 loss to the Vixens in the semifinals of the 2024 state playoffs.
For the four seniors, Sylvia Baca, Sophia DeHerrera, Natalie Smith and Nora Crip a win would be the ultimate goal to end their high school basketball play. The girls have been a part of a championship team in the past as they played on the 2023 team that won the championship game over To’hajiilee 62-61. Both Teams have been consistently in the state playoffs as the Vixens won the 2022 state game over Melrose 56-30 and the 2024 state game over Logan 54-36.
The two teams met in December where Roy/Mosquero won that game 40-29. With more play and the time for players to improve this rematch could go either way and as the game got under way that is how it looked with the Vixens taking the early lead but could never pull very far away. Strong defensive boards by the Lady Blue prevented second chance shots by the Vixens in the first and at the buzzer it was Vixens up by two 13-11.
Second quarter action would follow the trends set int he first with the Lady Blue working the boards and holding the Vixens to long shots outside the three point circle where Vixens Brooke Layton and Emmarie Casaus added 15 points. Natalie Smith would also get hot from outside the circle and dropped in three of four 3-pointers. Turnovers were also factor as Roy/Mosquero kept loosing the ball trying to force it inside to Tayla Proffitt for the inside shot. When the Halftime buzzer sounded in the Pit it was a 26-23 lead by the Vixens.
After the game Coach Clavel noted in the post game interview that none of the girls mentions the chewing they got at halftime but what ever was said and what ever changes were made it worked. The Lady Blue came out and quickly put points on the scoreboard scoring a whopping 27 points in the third and holding the Vixens to only 10 points for the quarter. Again it was strong rebounding by the Lady Blue and missed shots by the Vixens that made the difference. The Lady Blue rally rattled the Vixens which continued into the fourth quarter.
Finally the Vixens found their composure and the goal and added 20 points to their total but it was to little to late as the Lady Blue dropped in 18 of their own points and as the final buzzer sounded the Lady Blue fans went wild and the girls celebrated their hard won blue trophy the second in two years.
Ft Sumner/House 13 13 10 20 56
Roy/Mosquero 11 12 27 18 68
Ft Sumner/House High Point
Emmarie Casaus 8 1 of 3 free throws
Brooke Layton 15 4 of 5 free throws
Allyssa Casaus 25 5 of 9 free throws 4 3-pointers
Free Throws 12 of 21 attempts
3-pointers 8 of 25 attempts
Roy/Mosquero High Point
Tayla Proffitt 24 2 of 4 free throws
Natalie Smith 17 1 of 2 free throws 4 3-pointers
Nora Crisp 8 2 of 2 free throws
Constantza Covarrubias 9
Free throws 6 of 12 attempts
3-pointers 6 of 12 attempts
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