Valley Boys Take Early Lead in District 5-5A Race

The District 5-5A boys basketball season lasts five weeks. The Valley Vikings can only hope that the next four weeks go as well as this first one, which was perfect.

The schedule-makers matched Valley up against the other two top teams from 5-5A, Atrisco Heritage and Albuquerque High, in this first week of league play.

As the Vikings wake up today, they lead the league with a 2-0 record with head-to-head wins over the two teams most expect to challenge for the district title.

“Whether we were 0-2 or 2-0, it wasn’t going to determine where we will finish,” cautioned Valley coach Joe Coleman after his team dispatched AHS 46-32 on Friday night.

The Vikings (13-3 overall) simply dominated with their defense.

The offense, which was erratic in the first half, was very efficient in the second half. Valley was 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) in the final two quarters.

Valley in its three losses — La Cueva, Sandia, Clovis — had issues dealing with being outmatched in the paint.

Despite the presence of 6-foot-8 James Croasdell for Albuquerque High (9-7, 1-1), the Vikings did a marvelous job on the boards Friday.

“We came in talking about all the kids needing to be tough,” junior guard Robert Armijo said.

AHS was without 6-5 Matt Knight, however, who was out of the state after a death in the family.

Valley is back at home Tuesday night to face West Mesa.

— James Yodice

Friday Night

BOYS: West Mesa beat Highland 47-35 in 5-5A action, as Romolo Salazar scored a team-best 14 points for the Mustangs (6-10, 1-1).

♦ There was no score reported for the 5-5A game between Atrisco Heritage and Rio Grande.

Thursday Night

GIRLS: Valley improved to 2-0 in 5-5A with a 57-48 victory over AHS. The Vikings (11-5, 2-0) lead four teams — Rio Grande, Atrisco Heritage, West Mesa and Highland — by a single game in league play.

Nina Greene had probably her best game of the season, with 20 points to pace Valley.

♦ Atrisco Heritage won its first game of the season Thursday, holding off Rio Grande 48-45 at AHA.

Maylena King had 11 points to pace the Jaguars, while Jordaine Trujillo of the Ravens led all scorers with 15 points.

♦ West Mesa downed Highland 58-50, as Rae Davison had a 20-point outing for the Mustangs (3-13, 1-1).

♦ Cibola had a late surge to beat Sandia 57-42. Senior post Kassandra Harris had 23 points, high for the Cougars.

♦ St. Pius ripped Sandia Prep 68-42, as Natalie Zamora poured in 19 points.

BOYS: Cibola had one of its best wins of the season, 61-45 over Manzano. Preston Bungei led the way with 21 points.

The Cougars this afternoon at 3 play host to Hobbs, which rolled Rio Rancho 102-88 on Friday.

♦ Bosque School, with Gabe Rivera scoring 19 points, downed Estancia 51-37.

♦ Volcano Vista downed Albuquerque Academy 59-49.