Magdalena is on one of the greatest rolls in New Mexico basketball history
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Magdalena won its 44th straight game, but more importantly, the Steers (29-0) are headed into the next round of the Class A boys state basketball tournament after defeating To’hajiilee 76-15 on March 4.

It’s the Steers’ 10th consecutive trip to the quarterfinals, where they will face No. 8 Logan (18-11), a 46-39 winner against Legacy Academy. Don’t expect Magdalena coach Jory Mirabal and the Steers to overlook the Longhorns.

“We take the same approach in the state tournament games as we do throughout the season. There’s not much that changes other than who and where we play,” Mirabal said earlier this year. “We worry about us and what we do on the court.”

Magdalena doesn’t overlook teams because the Steers pride themselves on their defensive play and keeping the ball out of the hands of their opponents. It was no different on Saturday as Magdalena posted the state’s top defensive performance, and it’s a long ride back to To’hajiilee when you scored just 15 points.

That’s still not even close to what the Steers did to Animas in a 62-2 win in January.

Against To’hajiilee, four Steers reached double-figure scoring as Joseph Zamora led the way with 16 points, 3 triples and two blocks. Kael Stephens was sticky-fingered with nine steals and 14 points, while D’Shaun Vinyard had 13 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Jeff Stuteville scored 12 points and pulled down seven boards.

The win moves Magdalena into a tie with Hope Christian (2001-03) for 3rd all-time consecutive wins in New Mexico high school boys basketball.

At 29-0, the Steers are the only undefeated boys team in the state. The team will put all that on the line in an 8:15 p.m. tip-off at Bernalillo High School on Wednesday.