Schedule toughened Portales for state run

The Portales Lady Rams are hoping a challenging schedule pays off this week.

Portales carries a No. 1 seed into the Class 3A state quarterfinals today at The Pit in Albuquerque, despite having a record better than only three of the other seven teams.

First of all, the Lady Rams have a history at state — they reached every 3A final between 2001 and 2007 under longtime coach Brenda Gomez, claiming four championships.

And, as usual, Portales has played a challenging non-district schedule made up primarily of Class 4A and 5A teams. The Lady Rams have had only seven games against 3A foes, going 7-0 — all against District 4-3A competition.

Portales (17-8) faces eighth-seeded St. Michael’s (15-14) in today’s opening game at The Pit, scheduled for 8 a.m.

Third-year coach Clay Stout led Portales to the finals again last year, where they lost to unbeaten Pojoaque 44-38.

Stout said he pays no attention to records or seeds. With a potential rematch against third-seeded Pojoaque looming in the finals, he said his attention is squarely focused on the Lady Horsemen.

“They’re pretty good,” he said. “They’ve got good size on the inside and good shooters on the outside. They’re a well-balanced team.”

The Lady Rams were slowed by injuries for a while, but have won 11 of their last 14, including a 43-25 rout of Las Vegas Robertson in Friday’s first-round state game.

Stout said today’s early start is a non-factor.

“We’re tickled to be down here playing,” he said. “It feels good to get everybody healthy. I think that’s the biggest key.”

St. Mike’s is coming in with three wins in its last four games, including a victory over Pojoaque on Feb. 19 and a 50-43 win at Socorro on Friday behind five 3-pointers from senior guard Tamara Quintana.

In Class 1A, the area will be represented in today’s girls quarterfinals by Dora and Floyd, seeded fourth and sixth respectively.

The eight-team field in Albuquerque features a pair of unbeaten squads in Cliff (28-0) and Magdalena (27-0).

Class 3A
No. 1 Portales (17-8) vs. No. 9 St. Michael’s (15-14)
8 a.m. today at The Pit, Albuquerque

First round: Portales defeated 16th-seeded Robertson 43-25. The Lady Horsemen routed No. 8 Socorro 58-38 on the road.

St. Michael’s players to watch: Alexa Chavez, 6-0 So. P; Tamara Quintana, 5-9 Sr. G.

What to expect: St. Michael’s recently welcomed Chavez back to the lineup after she recovered from a broken foot. The move has allowed Quintana to move into her more natural position in the backcourt. … Portales is 7-0 against 3A teams, allowing just 21.7 points per contest.

Class 1A

No. 4 Dora (22-6) vs. No. 5 Tatum (20-7)

4:15 p.m. today at Bernalillo H.S.
First round: Dora posted a 60-13 win over Evangel Christian and has won 12 of its last 14. Tatum rolled over Corona 63-32 for its 10th straight win.
Dora defeated Tatum at home 66-53 in January.

Tatum players to watch: Devanne Sours, 5-10 Fr. P; TiAda Gray, 5-6 Sr. G.

No. 6 Floyd (20-7) vs. No. 3 Des Moines (18-4)
6 p.m. today at Bernalillo H.S.
First round: Floyd posted a 70-38 win over Desert Academy in Santa Fe. The Broncos are 3-2 against teams in the 1A field, including a 1-2 mark against district rival Dora. Des Moines, which defeated Logan 81-54, has won 13 straight.
Des Moines players to watch: Riata Rivale, 5-10 Jr. F; Audrey Green, 5-11 Sr. F; Jordyn Bannon, 5-11 Fr. F.

— Compiled by Kevin Wilson