Alamo’s Alvina Apachito send off a no-look pass.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain photos

Fueled by Elliana Guerro’s 15 first-quarter points, Alamo broke out of an early funk with an 18-0 run, and the Lady Cougars never looked back in beating Mountainair 67-25 on Feb. 8. The Cougars improved to 17-6 and 6-0 in District 3-1A girls basketball.

Midway through the first eight minutes of play, Alamo had an 8-5 advantage before Guerro got hot, and the Lady Cougars went from missing shots to hitting everything they put up.

Mountainair didn’t get another point until the second quarter, and Alamo’s scrambling defense created numerous turnovers.

Coach J.J. Apachito went to his bench, a more deliberate offense, and the Lady Cougars’ Janea Vicente, McKinzie Mexicano, Alvina Apachito and Layla Apache got into the mix where defense was the focus.

Coach J.J. Apachito explains to Alamo guard Alvina Apachito how he wants her to approach a perimeter pass.

“This week, we’re trying to pick up on defense. We’re going to pick up on defense because I feel like we have to get ready for down the stretch — you know — beyond district. So, to me, our defense is where we need to pick it up,” Apachito said.

It’s hard to complain when the Lady Cougars didn’t allow a double-digit quarter and allowed a high of nine points in the second period.

Apachito only needs to look at the six losses his Lady Cougars have suffered to know the train can run off the rails quickly. The Lady Cougars topped Mescalero 56-47 in January, only to fall 47-36 to the same squad a month later.

The Lady Cougars have also struggled on offense at times, but it’s not a problem Apachito is worried about down the stretch where the only team that seems capable of beating Alamo is Alamo.

“I feel like from the beginning to now, their passing is getting better. Their patience is getting better, and their shot selection is getting better,” Apachito said. They’re right where they need to be right now, down the stretch. I think they’re on the right path right now. I warned them that anytime on any given night, any team can beat them, but I feel right now if we’re going to lose — it’s because of us ourselves.”

Hailey Apachito (13) and Sapphira Sandoval (15) joined Guerro (17) in double-figure scoring.

Scoring

Hailey Apachito 13, Janea Vicente 2, Sapphira Sandoval 15, McKinzie Mexicano 2, Alvina Apachito 6, Elliana Guerro 17, Claire Apachito 2, Katelyn Stockham 1, Koolonna Apachito 4, Layla Apache 4.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor