Sports

Top-seeded Mesa Vista turned in a workmanlike performance Friday in the opening round of the girls Class 2A state basketball tournament.

ALBUQUERQUE – To say Española Valley faced an uphill challenge in Friday’s opening round of the Class 4A girls state basketball tournament would not be hyperbole.

Riding an 18 game winning streak and dominating almost all opponents left little doubt that the Mesa Vista girls basketball team would charge into this week’s state tournament as the Class 2A top seed for the second time in three seasons.

The high school basketball season wrapped up its district tournaments and the stage is set for the state tournament. Meanwhile, the spring sports began their overlapping season with baseball and softball getting underway.

Longtime local middle school basketball coach Jonathan Chavez died recently after it was discovered he had an inoperable brain tumor.

Boys high school hoops fans will have plenty of teams to rally around as four local squads have gained at least another week of play with the state tournament tipping off Saturday at home sites.

Española Valley High School Coach Gilbert Sandoval has high hopes for Jazlynn Maestas and Izaac Rivera

Dual-coaching basketball duties for Dulce’s Clyde Sanchez ended Friday when he resigned as the boys coach.

The high school basketball season is rapidly drawing to a close, with the regular season finishing up this week and teams heading to their respective district tournaments next week as a prelude for the state tournament’s big dance in March.