In a hard-fought contest that lacked offensive flair, the Pojoaque Valley Elkettes triumphed over the Los Alamos Hilltoppers with a score of 23-13 on Wednesday night. This victory allowed Pojoaque to claim sole possession of second place in District 2-4A.
The game, held in Griffith Gymnasium, served as a testament to Pojoaque”s ability to adhere to the principles emphasized by head coach Bobby Romero over the past two years. Despite both teams struggling with decision-making and execution, the Elkettes managed to maintain a semblance of structure that ultimately proved decisive.
Pojoaque, now 15-6 overall and 3-1 in district play, demonstrated greater composure compared to their hosts. The first quarter was particularly challenging, featuring only two baskets and a total of eight points. The Hilltoppers failed to make a shot in their initial four possessions, not scoring until Javaya Davison managed a jumper with 7:45 remaining in the second quarter.
A key factor in Pojoaque”s success was the performance of junior guard Monique Arrietta, who emerged as a reliable offensive presence, especially in the absence of fellow junior Gerrianna Romero, who was sidelined with a hip pointer. Arrietta notched the final four points of the first quarter for an 8-0 lead and then delivered a pivotal 3-pointer at the start of the third quarter, igniting an 8-0 run that solidified the Elkettes” lead.
“Our structure kept us in the game,” Arrietta commented. “Everybody stayed structured. Everybody knew the right from wrong and what shots to take.”
Scoring, however, was a challenge for both teams. Pojoaque managed only eight baskets throughout the game, while Los Alamos hit just six. The Elkettes” four 3-pointers contrasted sharply with the Hilltoppers” inability to connect from beyond the arc.
Los Alamos head coach Mike Kluk expressed frustration at his team”s shooting woes, stating, “We couldn”t throw the ball in the ocean. That was just the last symptom for us. We couldn”t catch. We couldn”t put the ball in the hole. We couldn”t make our free throws.”
The Hilltoppers struggled to consistently get the ball to Davison, their leading scorer, who had to contend with double and triple teams. “Our guards get sped up, and they kinda freak out,” Kluk noted. “They didn”t control the situation.”
Looking ahead, Pojoaque is poised for a rematch against the district-leading Española Valley, who previously edged them out in a close contest. Gerrianna Romero hopes to return to the lineup, as she is eager to contribute despite still feeling pain from her injury.
Regardless of the challenges faced, the Elkettes have shown resilience and a commitment to their system, which will be crucial as they aim to reclaim a share of the district lead.
