Lady Panthers take second at NRG tourney, unbeaten streak ends at 10 games
A rough night in the paint. Peñasco Lady Panther, Charlyna Gonzales tries to score from the key, but is swarmed by a bevy of Mora Rangerettes during the women's championship game of the 22nd Annual NRG basketball tournament Jan. 7. The physical play by the Rangerettes held the Lady Panthers to just six points in the second half to win the NRG title by a final score of 47-24.
Rough night on the perimeter. Bianca Contreras has a close encounter with the right hand of Rangerette Amarisa Romero during a scramble for a loose ball during the championship game at the NRG's in Pojoaque Jan. 7. The 47-24 loss to Mora was Peñasco's first of the 2016-17 season - ending a 10-game win streak.
All good things must come to an end. Ben Lujan Gymnasium at Pojoaque Valley High School would be the site of the end of the Peñasco Lady Panthers’ double-digit win streak in basketball.
Staying undefeated in any sport is tough to maintain. When it’s finally busted, it can be a bittersweet feeling for coaches and players – in the form of relief that the pressure to keep it up is lifted and sadness because winning is great and losing is no fun.
The Peñasco Lady Panthers’ win streak might very well have begun back during the cross-country season, as the entire running team is also on the varsity basketball team. So, a majority of the Lady Panthers have not experienced a loss since the end of last October – given that the Lady Panthers were cross-country district champs and state champions in Class 2A. In the eight basketball games that were played as the calendar year came to a close and the three that were played at the Northern Río Grande (NRG) basketball tournament, Peñasco (11-1) experienced its best start since the 2006-07 season, which is when the Lady Panthers started the year 8-0 and finished 14-2, coming in second at the state tournament.
In 2006-07, it was the Class 4A Moriarty Lady Pintos who put a stop to the Lady Panthers’ undefeated stretch with a 58-37 drubbing in a regular-season tilt. This time, it was district rival Mora Rangerettes who took down top-ranked Peñasco with a similar trouncing, 47-24, at the 22nd annual women’s NRG championship game Jan. 7.
Opening round vs. Questa
For the second time this season, the Lady Panthers met the Questa Lady Cats in the opening round of a tournament, and for the second time this season, the Lady Cats fell to the explosive Lady Panthers. The result was a lopsided 71-26 final score.
It was Peñasco’s smothering full-court press that prevented the Lady Cats from getting the ball across the half-court line – much less set up their offense. Against Questa, Carly Gonzales scored 19 to lead all scorers. Eight other Lady Panthers also scored in a game that was decidedly over early in the first three minutes of the contest.
The fact that the Lady Cats were playing in their third road game in as many nights may have been a factor in their loss to Peñasco. Inclement weather would prevent the Lady Cats from traveling to the tournament to play in their second-round (consolation bracket) game against the Mesa Vista Lady Trojans Jan. 6.
Semifinals vs. Pecos
In the second round, Peñasco faced another Lady Panthers team, as Pecos (Class 3A) handled the Mesa Vista Lady Trojans to win their opener in overtime 60-48 Jan. 5. The semifinal matchup seemed to be well in hand for Pecos, as that team maintained a lead throughout most of the game. It was a bevy of long-range shots by Adrianna Tafoya in the third period that seemed to ignite a rally and shifted the momentum toward Peñasco.
The resilient Peñasco squad was able to come away with a convincing win despite trailing by as many as 13 points. The Peñasco team found its offensive rhythm late in the game to win 68-59. In the comeback victory, Tafoya scored 16 points to lead all scorers. She was joined by six other scorers from Peñasco, including Gonzales, who added 15, and Bianca Contreras, who pumped in an additional 13.
“We train for these types of situations,” said coach Gilbert Mascareñas, alluding to the physical training he puts his teams through in practice. “I remind our girls that the hard work we put into our practices is for the last four minutes of a game. It definitely came into play tonight, and I think they’re starting to understand what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Finals vs. Mora
The Lady Panthers concluded their 2017 NRG experience with a championship showdown against the Rangerettes Jan. 7, but for this game, Peñasco would be on the receiving end of a smothering defense. Mora looked fresh, while the Lady Panthers looked fatigued.
In postgame remarks, Mascareñas was was able to draw upon some positives with the loss. “I would rather this happen to us now instead of in the postseason,” said Mascareñas, who was realistic about maintaining the win streak indefinitely. “Mora had the hot hand and we couldn’t buy a basket. It was an off night for us, but we know where we can improve.”
The Lady Panthers are now 10-1 overall and will travel to Ratón to take on the Lady Tigers Jan. 14. Tipoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.
