Mathis Apachito beats Mountainair defenders for two.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

A week after appearing unprepared for Mountainair in a close 62-51 win, Alamo Navajo rebounded with a 73-26 thumping of the Mustangs to claim the District 3-1A tournament title on Feb 25.

Some basketball watchers might not call a 62-51 win a close game, but Alamo topped Mountainair 75-39 in the Mustangs’ stable.

“The boys noticed it themselves,” coach Lemuel Guerro said. “They came to me and said they would get back on track.”

When teams garner more than 20 wins (Alamo is 23-4), there’s always the danger that players begin believing their own hype, and overlooking someone can lead to an upset.

The Cougars wouldn’t allow that at home again and raced out to a 17-6 first-quarter lead that swelled into a 34-15 core at the half. Alamo delivered the haymaker in the third quarter with a 22-3 run.

One big difference between the two teams’ second and third meetings this year was post Mathis Apachito not getting into foul trouble. Apachito’s presence on the court isn’t so much about his 11.6 points per game as much as the Cougars gravitate toward their team captain.

“He’s the leader, and he has a basketball knowledge,” Guerro said. “He’s the one that told me that coach, I need to work more, and I need to I try more. I want more. That’s what you want out of a team captain.”

Apachito will lead the No. 11 ranked Cougars on the rooad to play against No. 6 Dora on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Scoring

Tayshawn Pino 7, Jacob Apache 8, Mike Monte 6, Mathis Apachito 10, Scotty Guerro 12, Wyatt Hunter 3, Jay Apachito 7, Zephaniah Guerro 6, Johnshay Padilla 3, Isaiah Secatero 2, Mclane Guerro 7, Ando Pino 0.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor