Magdalena’s girls varsity team won in 48 to 26 game against Mountainair Thursday.
Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain

 

Magdalena boys and girls varsity teams both walked away with wins Thursday against Mountainair.

In the final home game of the regular season, the boys varsity team dominated with a 90 to 22 win.

“We’re going to get after it tonight,” said girls head coach Sara Sue Olney before her varsity team stepped onto the court. And they did. The girls played a fierce game, with a final score of 48 to 26.

Magdalena’s basketball Homecoming King and Queen Joren Mirabal and Kenzie Silva are recognized during Thursday’s game.
Submitted photo

Thursday was also senior night and basketball homecoming for the Steers.

“It’s always mixed emotions on senior night because you’ve spent so much time with these kids. It’s exciting to come and play but knowing that it’s their last regular home game, it’s always mixed emotion,” said boys head coach Jory Mirabal.

The boys team will lose two varsity players at the end of the year and one manager is graduating: Ahadu Tsemaye, Javon Silversmith and Joren Mirabal.

“Having senior night as a school is one thing, but when you add in the added attachment that you have with boys that I’ve literally had since they were in kindergarten in my P.E. class, it’s kind of a special evening,” said Mirabal. “Then my youngest son is playing his last home game tonight. I’ve had three boys play for me and he’s the youngest, so as a dad there’s those feelings and emotions too. They’ve all had a lot of success and been a big part of what we’ve done. There’s a lot of emotions, good and bad.”

The girls basketball program has seven graduating seniors: Jonnie Willie, Kenzie Silva, Ella Ganadonegro, Arianna Paez, Shanora Ganadonegro, Jasmine Apachito and Anabel Munoz.

“It’s a bittersweet thing,” said Olney. “You always get excited because they’ll move on to bigger and better things, but you do get sad because you’ll never get to coach them again. It’s happy and sad time all at the same time. “

 

Cathy Cook, Editor, El Defensor Chieftain