The planets seemed to be aligned for the Albuquerque High boys. Valley was coming off a disappointing loss, the Vikings were without their head coach, and the Bulldogs came into the North Valley with all the momentum.

So much for that.

Behind the scoring of Joe Anaya and Adonis Saltes — who combined for 61 points — the Vikings stood their ground with authority Tuesday night. Even without coach Joe Coleman, Valley led all the way and all about clinched the District 5-5A regular-season title in the process, beating the visiting Bulldogs 70-62 in a game that was not nearly as close as the final score indicates.

Valley (17-4, 6-1 in 5-5A) leads the district by two games with only three games left in the regular season. AHS (12-9, 4-3) is tied for second place. The ’Dogs had a chance to tie for first on Tuesday after the Vikings slipped last Friday at Atrisco Heritage.

But Valley scored 10 of the game’s first 12 points and AHS never really threatened the Vikings’ position, not once. Coleman had to sit out Tuesday’s game after being ejected from the Atrisco game last Friday.

Anaya had 32 points, including four 3-pointers. Saltes added 29.

Mahlik Sims had 30 for AHS, 24 of them coming in the final quarter.

— James Yodice

ST. PIUS 65, ABQ. ACADEMY 44: At St. Pius, the Sartans (18-4, 3-0 in 5-4A) had four players in double figures as they turned back the visiting Chargers (12-8, 1-2).

CLEVELAND 68, RIO RANCHO 62: At Cleveland, the Storm, after losing 14 out of 15, have won two straight and are in a three-way tie for first in 1-5A with Cibola and Volcano Vista. Junior post Desmond Branch had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland (6-16, 2-1). The Rams (9-14, 0-3) have lost eight straight games.

VOLCANO VISTA 44, CIBOLA 38: At xxxxxx,

ATRISCO HERITAGE 72, RIO GRANDE 49: Corbin Waquie scored 21 points and Patrick Roark added 17 to lead Atrisco past the Ravens. Juwan Brooks scored 15 for RGHS (8-13).