Dominguez, Aime combine for 62 points in Academy's win over West Mesa

Whatever else that can be said about Albuquerque Academy senior forward Eli Dominguez, this much is definitely accurate:

Dominguez rates as one of the premier boys basketball players in New Mexico, regardless of classification.

The 6-foot-4 Dominguez was a menace all afternoon against visiting West Mesa. He hurt the Mustangs from inside and outside, with his scoring and his rebounding, and the final tally was a career-high 38 points as the Chargers (16-6), ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, beat visiting West Mesa 73-63 in a matinee nondistrict matchup on Saturday.

“It’s not a surprise for me,” Academy coach Alvin Broussard said of Dominguez. “That’s just Eli being himself, and he’s doing it within the concept of what we’re trying to do, which is even better.”

Dominguez and 6-foot-10 junior Hunter Aine combined for 62 of the Chargers’ 73 points. Aime was fantastic throughout, and to no one’s shock, quite unguardable on the low post.

“I think he’s getting used to being pushed around. Teams are putting bodies on him, and it’s hard to officiate a 6-10 player. He’s making adjustments,” Broussard said. “It’s a credit to him being coachable, and he really tries hard to do what’s asked of him. He’s a skilled big.”

The Mustangs (12-8) were missing two starters, one due to illness and the other for personal reasons. West Mesa has dropped three straight, and faces a hugely important District 5-5A matchup on Tuesday against Albuquerque High.

Still, this game was extremely tight for a good long stretch. There were seven lead changes in the first half alone. Late in the first half, Dominguez had a three-point play to tie the game at 31, and seconds later Aiden Vega hit a shot off the glass for a 33-31 halftime lead for Academy.

Dominguez and Aime got busy in the third quarter. That duo combined for 16 of the Chargers’ 18 third-period points, and Academy began to slowly seize control, leading 51-39 at one point and 51-43 by the end of the quarter.

Aime and Dominguez continued to control things into the fourth quarter. They scored 20 of Academy’s 22 points over the final eight minutes. West Mesa was not closer than five in the fourth quarter, and that was after a 3-pointer to start the period.

Academy returns to District 6-4A action on Friday at Valley.