Alamo’s Jay Apachito drives the paint against Mountainair.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Alamo was put to the test on Feb. 8 when the Cougars traveled to Mountainair. Leading scorer Jacob Apache went down with a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter of the District 3-1A basketball contest.

While the Cougars didn’t hit their offensive stride immediately, it was evident Alamo got more comfortable en route to a 75-39 win that lifts its season record to 20-4 and 6-0 in league play.

“Well, we have got to have somebody to step up. Anything like this can happen, and there are going to be injuries in basketball,” Alamo coach Lemuel Guerro said. “Anybody can get an injury. I told these boys that one of you (especially the guards) needs to step up for us.”

Apache would notch just one three-pointer before going down with his injury, and it took the Cougars a few possessions to get into their offensive flow. Still, Alamo led 16-9 after the first quarter and kicked things into high gear with a 22-11 second quarter.

Considering Apache’s injury and Alamo missing practice due to bad weather canceling school, Guerro was pleased with how his team responded and kept up a high level of play the remainder of the way.

“We stayed focused and worked hard out there,” Guerro said. “Now we need to keep coming to practice and play hard. Jacob will be back with us soon because this looks like a high ankle sprain, so we aren’t going to lose him.”

Mathis Apachito didn’t net a first-quarter point but poured it on the rest of the way to lead all scorers with 19 points. Mike Monte was right on his heels with 18, and Scotty Guerro scored 10.

Scoring

Tayshawn Pino 5, Jacob Apache 3, Mathis Apachito 19, Mike Monte 18, Scotty Guerro 10, Jay Apachito 8, Zephaniah Guerro 3, Mclane Guerro 6, Isaiah Secatero 4.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor