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Elks Can’t Hang with Sandia Prep at State
Pojoaque opened up in a slow ball mode and it worked for one quarter as they led 6-2 going into the second quarter. But Sandia Prep adjusted and went on to defeat the Elks 52-33 Wednesday morning at the Santa Ana Star Center in the quarterfinals of the state basketball tournament.
Prep led 18-10 at intermission and continued to widen the gap in the third and fourth quarters with their big inside game.
Kody Salcido, Prep’s 6′5″ center, devastated the Elks with six assists, 12 rebounds and 14 points.
Brian Montoya had a game high 15 points for the Elks.
Length: 0Pojoaque opened up in a slow ball mode and it worked for one quarter as they led 6-2 going into the second quarter. But Sandia Prep adjusted and went on to defeat the Elks 52-33 Wednesday morning at the Santa Ana Star Center in the quarterfinals of the state basketball tournament. Prep led 18-10 at intermission and continued to widen the gap in the
National Geographic Seeks Student Film Makers
Greater New Mexico All Roads Film and Photo Project
A statewide program for students to create and showcase their film work and/or photography.
Submit your film and/or photo!The National Geographic All Roads Film Project, Lensic Performing Arts Center and Santa Fe Photographic Workshops are partnering to provide a unique educational opportunity and venue to showcase film and photography by students for students.
Film and Photo Theme “Personal Heritage & Cultural Storytelling”
Heritage is individual or collectively a desire to preserve and pass on history to the next generation. Ways of expression can be found through family pictures, music, personal objects, religion, plants, and animals. Collective heritage is seen through memories of elders, in buildings, landscapes and traditions.
Film Categories: Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Comedy
Photo Categories: Best Composition, Best Use of Theme, Best Overall
Awards: 1st Prize-$300, 2nd Prize-$200, 3rd Prize-$100
Guidelines
All students must be between 14 and 18 years old.
Film: Film must be 3 minutes in length or shorter including credits
Leave 10 seconds at beginning of film and at end of film
Opening credits only film title and school name
Submitted on DVD, Aspect Ratio 16 x 9
Photographs: Images may be color or black & white (no manipulation)
Student name and school name under each photo
5 photos per student, electronic files submitted on DVD
Submitted as 300 dpi, 5”x 7”, tiff format
Deadline for submissions: Monday, March 15, 2010, 3:00pm
Awards Event: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 10:00am at the Lensic
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Darlene Anderson Council of Advisors National Geographic Society 513.260.3529 danderson@anderson-realestate.com |
Connie Schaekel Community Relations Manager Lensic Performing Arts Center 505.988.7050 X210 connies@lensic.com |
Greater New Mexico All Roads Film and Photo Project A statewide program for students to create and showcase their film work and/or photography. Submit your film and/or photo!The National Geographic
Castellano and Garcia Honored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as Youths of the Year in New Mexico
POJOAQUE, N.M. March–2010 – Andrea Castellano, daughter of Lawrence & Frances Castellano, an 8-year member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club, has been named the Youth of the Year for the State of New Mexico by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition to winning this prestigious title, Castellano will also receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation and an additional $1,000 scholarship from the New Mexico Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of New Mexico. She is among hundreds of Youth of the Year winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.
“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program since 1947,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “For over 60 years, we have had the great honor of saluting amazing teens, like Andrea Castellano, for their dedication to their families, Club, community, and their academic and career goals.”
Andrea has become extremely involved in many programs over the years and is currently the Secretary of the Kachina Keystone Club. She is a senior at Pojoaque High School, maintains a 3.3 GPA and is also the Student Body Treasurer.
Upon graduation, Andrea plans on attending New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where she plans on attaining a degree in the medical field. With the above scholarships it will help enable to attain her goals along with another scholarship of $1,000 from the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club. Recently she received a $2,000 scholarship from the Charles Schwab Foundation for her participation in Money Matters, a National BGCA program.
“Andrea and all Youth of the Year nominees are living proof that Boys & Girls Clubs across the country are fulfilling their mission of inspiring and enabling young people,” said Roxanne Spillett, president, BGCA. “We are most appreciative to the Reader’s Digest Foundation for their long-time support of our Youth of the Year program and for helping Club members attain their goals.”
This May, Castellano will compete against other youth from states located in BGCA’s Southwest Region, in Dallas, Texas. If named regional winner, she will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship and advance to the national competition in Washington. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and will be installed by President George W. Bush during a ceremony in the Oval Office.
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New Mexico Junior Youth of the Year
Desiree Garcia, daughter of Lionel & Louise Garcia, is also an 8 year member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club was also named New Mexico Junior Youth of the Year at the annual banquet held on the campus of San Juan College, in Farmington, hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Farmington. Desiree, age 13, is an eighth grader at the Pojoaque Valley Middle School and maintains a 3.8 GPA. and is also the Vice President of our Keystone Club. This is the second year in a row that Desiree has been named the State Youth of the Year. She also received a special plaque and trophy for her accomplishment.
As the founding sponsor of the Youth of the Year program, the Reader’s Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million towards BGCA, and 61 teens have been selected as the National Youth of the Year. For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit www.bgca.org/yoy.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
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POJOAQUE, N.M. March–2010 – Andrea Castellano, daughter of Lawrence & Frances Castellano, an 8-year member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys and Girls Club, has been named the Youth of the Year for the State of New Mexico by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition to winning this prestigious title, Castellano will also receive
Lovington Upsets Elkettes in Quarterfinal Game
Lovington 61, Elkettes 50
The Elkettes made just two field goals in the first half, while Lovington got 16 points from Mystica Perez and 14 points from Kenzie Black to take a 36-16 halftime lead in The Pit.
Halftime stats: Pojoaque shot 1-of-8 from beyond the arc; Lovington 4-of-7.
Halftime scoring for the Elkettes: Elizabeth Gomez 6 points; Kiana Vigil 5; Audrey Smith 5 and Marissa Romero 2.
After a dismal first half , the Elkettes, despite splashing four third quarter 3s, trailed 49-34 at the end of three quarters as Mystica Perez scored 11 of Lovingtons’ 13 third quarter points.
Pojoaque cut Lovington’s lead to 49-39 on a Marissa Romero 3-ball with 6:40 left in the game but the Lady Wildcats responded with a 12-2 run and coasted to an easy 61-50 victory.
Perez finished with a game high 35 points, while Kenzie Black contribute 20 for Lovington.
Dionna Montoya led Pojoaque with 17 points, Romero had 11, Kianna Vigil 9 and Elizabeth Gomez 8.
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St. Michael’s defeated Portales (No. 1 seed) 32-28 to advance to the semifinals.
Length: 0Lovington 61, Elkettes 50 The Elkettes made just two field goals in the first half, while Lovington got 16 points from Mystica Perez and 14 points from Kenzie Black to take a 36-16 halftime lead in The Pit. Halftime stats: Pojoaque shot 1-of-8 from beyond the arc; Lovington 4-of-7. Halftime scoring for the Elkettes: Elizabeth Gomez 6 points; Kiana Vigil
Christian Baca, Andrew Martinez and Matthew Herrera Named Student-Athletes of the Week
Christian Baca
Andrew Martinez
Matthew Herrera
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Christian Baca, junior basketball player for the Elks, was named a Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club Athlete of the Week. Baca’s coach, Joey Trujillo said Christian has been really aggressive this year and leds the team in rebounds. He never complains and has been working just as hard in the classroom where he maintains a 3.0 g.p.a.
Andrew Martinez, senior basketball player with a 3.2 g.p.a., drew high praise from coach Trujillo, “Andrew has been solid for the team this year! Mr. Hustle, always ready for a new challenge. Andrew never says much but shows senior leadership for the team.”
Matthew Herrera, member of the undefeated 8th grade basketball team, is the third student-athlete of the week. Matthew maintains a 3.2 g.p.a. and his coach Paul Herrera said Matthew shows leadership and excellence in the classroom and on the basketball court.
The selectees receive a certificate, a t-shirt and dinner for two at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino.
Congratulations!
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Eighth Grade Boys Go Undeafeated, Win Ortiz Tournament
Congratulations to the Pojoaque Valley Middle School 8th Grade Boys Basketball team on their championship win at the Ortiz Middle School Tournament and on their 2009-2010 undefeated season.
Pictured: (back row, left to right) Jeremy Santistevan; Raphael DeLaTorre; Jotham Espinosa; Jonathan Bartleson; Kevin Herrera; Randall Gallegos; Marcos Trujillo; Matthew Herrera; (front row, left to right) Joshua Garcia; John Ainsworth; Jr.; John Paul Gonzales; Adrian Trujillo; and Edward Chavez; assisting the team during the tournament was Ryan Maestas (back row, far right) and Anthony Rodriguez (front row, far right)
Jotham Espinosa led the young Elks with 12 points in the semifinal game. Matthew Herrera had a game high 14 points in the championship game. All-Tourney went to Espinosa, Marcos Trujillo and Herrera. The team plans to play AAU this summer. Matthew Herrera will play with New Mexico Force, which is the same team Ryan Gonzales, former PHVS star, who now plays for New Mexico Highlands, played with.
Length: 0Congratulations to the Pojoaque Valley Middle School 8th Grade Boys Basketball team on their championship win at the Ortiz Middle School Tournament and on their 2009-2010 undefeated
Nakotte Buzzer Beater Shocks the Bears
Hey you guys, you’re sitting in our seats
Tom Nakotte, Pojoaque’s senior forward, playing his last game in Ben Lujan Gymnasium, splashed a 3-ball at the buzzer to give the Elks a come from behind 53-50 win over the Wingate Bears Saturday night in what everyone from Pojoaque said, including Pojoaque High athletic director Matt Martinez and county commissioner Harry Montoya, was the loudest crowd they ever heard in Ben Lujan.
Pojoaque’s home court advantage was negated by the Wingate fans, who raised the noise in the gym to rock concert level. Not only did they arrive early to take over the south side seats in the gym-where Pojoaque fans usually sit-but they blew horns, cheered and ignited their team to a 25-17 point halftime lead.
While the Bears’ fans rocked the house, the Bears fed off their energy, running the fast break with artistry.
The Elks led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, but Wingate opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run and went on to outscore Pojoaque 14-5 in the second quarter.
Riding the energy of their fans, the Bears were more aggressive than the Elks in the second period as evidenced by the fact that they got to the line eight times, while Pojoaque didn’t take a second quarter free throw.
“We controlled their press in the first half and got some easy layups,” Wingate coach Al Martinez said. “As the pressure built in the third quarter, our guards started to turn the ball over a little more and Pojoaque took advantage of our turnovers.”
With three minutes to play in the third, Pojoaque trailed 35-23, then Wingate turned the ball over on four straight possessions and Pojoaque went on a 10-0 run capped by two old-fashioned 3s from Nakotte and Luke Salazar. Pojoaque also started to take the ball to the hole and made 6-of-7 third quarter free throws.
“We had a quicker team on the floor in the third quarter,” Pojoaque coach Joey Trujillo said. “They started throwing the ball away and down the stretch they played not to lose and we kept attacking.”
Wingate held on to a slim 37-33 lead at the end of three, but the momentum was changing and when Luke Salazar made a steal and bucket with 7:04 to play in the game, the score was knotted at 37-37.
The game was a long way from being over when lefty, Lamburt Michalski dropped a 3 to ignite a Bear resurgence that boosted them to a 45-39 lead with 4:28 to play.
Up to this point, the Elks were 2-for-13 from beyond the arc. That stat quickly changed after Brian Montoya knocked down an NBA 3-ball, followed by another old fashioned 3 from Chis Ortiz, followed by another Ortiz 3 that put Pojoaque up 50-49 with 56.4 seconds on the clock.
Michalski tied it up at 50-50 with a clutch free throw.
Pojoaque ball and they played for one shot.
One shot was all they needed as Nakotte hit the long ball and the Elks live to play again in the second round of the State Tournament Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. in the Santa Ana Star Center. Their opponent, the No. 2 seed, Sandia Prep.
After the game, when asked if this was this biggest shot of his high school career, he said, “Yes, I think it was.”
Asked about wanting to take the last shot-he also took a last second 3 that didn’t go in against St. Michael’s-he said, “Someone has to take it. Luckily it went in. But if Chris and Brian don’t make their 3s, my shot means nothing.”
Trujillo said he thought the win would give the Elks a little confidence in their upcoming game against Sandia Prep. “Prep’s a good team,” he said, “but we’re going to the Star Center to do battle.”
Luke Salazar and Chris Ortiz scored 14 points each for the Elks, while Nakotte contributed 10, 8 of which came in the second half.
Michalski scored 13 points for Wingate and Evan Blackwell 9.
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Elkettes Rout Ruidoso, Advance to The Pit
Audrey Smith from deep in the corner
With a fired up defense that caused seven first quarter Ruidoso turnovers, the Elkettes, despite going 0-for-7 from 3-landia, surged to a 12-4 first quarter lead and went on to overwhelm the 14th seed 52-37.
Pojoaque showed discipline on offense with just seven turnovers, forced 20 turnovers and their lead swelled to 48-25 in the third quarter after Dionna Montoya made the play of the game. Montoya led a break-out, dribbled behind her back to avoid a defender and dished to the streaking Audrey Smith for an easy layup.
Montoya scored 13 points and freshman Cheyenne Cordova contributed 12. Ruidoso didn’t have a player in double digits.
Neither team had success from beyond the arc. The Elkettes made 1-of-15 3-point attempts. The Lady Warriors were 1-of-8 from downtown.
With the win, Pojoaque advances to The Pit for a Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. quarterfinal game against the winner of the Lovington/Wingate game.
Length: 0Audrey Smith from deep in the corner With a fired up defense that caused seven first quarter Ruidoso turnovers, the Elkettes, despite going 0-for-7 from 3-landia, surged to a 12-4 first quarter lead and went
Basketball Talk Is Everywhere You Go This Time of Year
This is the time of year when high school basketball fans speculate about the state tournaments. Every day it seems I meet someone at the supermarket or gas station or cafe and we talked about the tournament.
Tonight, the two time defending state champs Pojoaque Elkettes begain their quest for a three-peat with a 7 p.m. game against Ruidoso (14-seed) in Ben Lujan Gymnasium. Can the Elkettes win three championships in a row, despite their three game losing skid to end the season?
The other day at the Nambe Travel Center, someone honked at me as I walked to my car. I turned to see James Roybal. I leaned into the passenger side open window and we talked basketball.
James had the state brackets printed out, lying on his back seat. He handed me the 3A Girls’ bracket. “What do you think?” he said.
I told him I thought Girls’ state was up for grabs because no team is head and shoulders above any other. James agreed.
We talked about the Elkettes lack of a strong post presence, which makes them sort of one dimensional. But when the Elkettes are draining the 3 and playing good defense they can beat anyone. We agreed.
James asked who I thought would win state. I thought and said, “I’m picking Socorro. I know their an 8-seed, but they have the best 3A post in the state in Roxanne Silva.” James smiled at my long odds choice.
Although, he didn’t pick a state champ, James talked about the Lady Braves and pointed out they sometimes have players go off on ball hog streaks. And Portales, the one-seed, played in a weak district. And West Las Vegas (4-seed), who I think might be James’ pick, ended the season with six straight wins and a district tournament title.
Season records and streaks and momentum are to be considered at this time of year, but it’s a teams’ character that matters more than anything, especially in a tournament that doesn’t have an exceptional team.
And don’t forget chance, luck, fate or whatever you want to call it. In the end, it often comes down to one big play. Big plays need big players and the Elkettes have players like seniors Dionna Montoya and Marissa Romero who are used to playing in the big show.
With three straight losses, the Elkettes are down, but not out, not by a long shot. Pojoaque will likely advance to the semis where they’ll probably tangle with the Lady Braves again.
Whatever happens it’s going to be a fun ride into the March 12 championship game in the Pit.
See you there.
Length: 0This is the time of year when high school basketball fans speculate about the state tournaments. Every day it seems I meet someone at the supermarket or gas station or cafe and we talked about the tournament. Tonight, the two time defending state champs Pojoaque Elkettes begain their quest for a three-peat with a 7 p.m. game against Ruidoso (14-seed)
