By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The New Mexico state basketball championships continued this last week in empty venues after New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grishom declared a state health emergency after four cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in New Mexico.
Despite the empty arenas the teams played on with only our #2-seeded Maxwell Bears making it to the final dance. They will have a rematch with #1-seeded Melrose who bested #5-seeded Springer 58-27 in the semifinals to meet Maxwell.
Wednesday afternoon March 11, 2020 saw Maxwell take on Elida and win that game 71-61. Wednesday evening Pine Hill toppled the Roy/Mosquero Lady Blue to end their season 62-55. That was the first of the four Northeastern New Mexico teams to fall in the tournament. Springer sent Cimarron home with a 58-43 score in the last game of the evening on Wednesday.
On Thursday Maxwell played Tatum winning that game 61-52 with Maxwell’s biggest lead coming in the 4th quarter where they lead by 17. The Springer Melrose game was played later
Tatum 13 5 12 22 52
Maxwell 13 12 16 20 61
Maxwell Stats
Tristen Peirce 18 2of 2 free throws
Kolton Riggs 14 10 of 11 free throws
Wesley Jeffrey 10 0 of 3 free throws
Caden Floyd 10 0 of 1 free throws
Free throws 13 of 21 attempts
Turnovers 26
Tatum Stats
Hayden Glass 14
Sebastian Jimenez 14 0 of 1 free throws
Free throws 4 of 7 attempts
Turnovers 11
Springer 2 4 13 8 27
Melrose 13 14 18 13 58
Springer Stats
Jeremiah Apodaca 7
Gabe Garcia 7 3 of 6 free throws
Free throws 6 of 11 attempts
Turnovers 19
Melrose Stats
Dylan Valentine 10 2 of 4 free throws
Tristen Sena 15 4 of 5 free throws
Free throws 12 of 19 attempts
Turnovers 20
