Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Magdalena was the only undefeated boys basketball team left in New Mexico, and it often played like it during a 68-39 victory over Logan in the Class 1A quarterfinals.
The top-seeded and two-time defending state champion Steers (30-0) took an 11-0 lead to start the game Wednesday at Bernalillo High School and steadily expanded on that advantage against the eighth-seeded Longhorns.
Logan had a hard time matching up against a Steers lineup that featured three players listed at 6-foot-5.
One of them, Kael Stephens, scored a game-high 26 points. Another, Joseph Zamora, added 16 points.
“It was a tough game,” Logan coach Kyle Griffith said. “Magdalena is very talented. We struggled to get in a rhythm early in the game.
“Overall, though, I’m proud of the way the boys competed.”
Junior guard Brock Burns led the Longhorns with 14 points, and freshman center Mason Wallin added 13.
Logan trailed 17-9 after one quarter. One of the Longhorns’ best moments came early in the second period, when senior forward Park Strong stole a Steers pass and drove to the hoop to make it a 21-14 game.
After that, Magdalena finished the quarter with a 14-2 run to take a 35-16 lead at intermission.
The Steers fattened their advantage to 55-27 after three periods.
Magdalena eventually lost in the Class 1A title game to second-seeded Fort Sumner, a district foe for Logan.
Logan finished its season with an 18-12 record and finished in a tie for third in their rugged A-6 district, behind perennial power Melrose and No. 2-ranked and district champ Fort Sumner.
“We had a great season and grew tremendously,” Griffiths said. ‘We are only going to get better, our future is very bright. Our young kids got a ton of experience and got better every week. Already looking forward to next season to see what we can do.”
The Longhorns lose three seniors — Strong, Christian Kotara and Skyler DeLuca.
“Our seniors will be missed,” Griffiths said. “They have been true system guys and will be tough to replace, especially on the defensive end of the floor.”