Magdalena’s Irene Martinez got dog-piled on this play.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Magdalena dropped its final game of the season to Quemado 42-34, but that didn’t stop the Steers from sliding into the girls state basketball tournament with a Friday date against Roy/Mosquero.

“We were never out of the game against Quemado until right at the end,” Magdalena coach Sara Sue Olney said. “We had some turnovers, and we still don’t know how to close out a game.”

The Steers are a diamond in the rough that only experience can polish, and Olney realizes she has a young team at hand.

“That’s probably the best way to explain it. I think we might be having completely different conversations by this time next year. We have just got to be patient and realize it’s a process. It’s hard when you want something so fast and right now, but I think in the next year to two years, we’ll be right there in the mix – as in a higher seed instead of the lower seed. Winning district or being in the mix to win district,” Olney said.

What’s the goal for the Steers as they travel to Roy?

“Once you’re in the state tournament, everybody’s record is 0-0. So, we actually have nothing to lose. Why not just go play and have fun and see what happens?” Olney said.

Jorianne Mirabal was the Steers’ scoring leader against Quemado with a game-high 22 points. Magdalena trailed 24-21 heading into the fourth quarter, but Quemado got multiple trips to the free-throw line and stayed out front with an 18-13 advantage in the stanza.

Magdalena will play on the road Friday with the game time set for 5 p.m.

Scoring

Jorianne Mirabal 20, Jema Ganadonegro 2, Lanisha Vicente 1, Elia Cleveland 2, Kambree Montoya 6, Gerleanzy Ganadonegro 3.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor