By J.T. Keith
Artesia Day by day Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com
What’s subsequent for Artesia boys’ basketball? The following sport – and it’s the one sport that issues.
The Artesia boys’ basketball group (18-9) will face the Valley Vikings (15-14) within the 2025 Nusenda Credit score Union Boys Basketball State Championships.
It’s in opposition to the Valley Vikings, who defeated the Bulldogs 50-46 on the highway on Dec. 21.
“We performed them earlier within the 12 months,” Artesia coach Michael Mondragon stated. “They’re very disciplined and properly coached.”
The groups meet once more at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, within the 4A quarterfinals of the state event on the College of New Mexico’s College Enviornment (aka The Pit) in Albuquerque.
For the Bulldogs, taking part in the Vikings for prime stakes within the playoffs is nothing new. Within the 2022-2023 season, the No. 12-seeded Vikings defeated No. 4 Artesia 49-48 within the quarterfinals of the NMAA District 4A-4 event.
In that sport, the Bulldogs scored 18 factors off turnovers and 18 factors within the paint. Artesia was capable of rating eight factors on quick breaks. Nick Sanchez scored 24 factors, and Diego Wesson added 11 factors for the Bulldogs. It took a last-second shot by Valley’s Julian Chavez to present the Vikings the win.
“This must be a enjoyable matchup,” Mondragon stated. “We now have performed them the final three years, the final two within the Pit … our boys are motivated.”
Three keys to a Bulldog victory:
Look inside on offense
The important thing for the Bulldogs the remainder of the event begins with wanting inside to 6-foot-4 Trent Egeland, 6-foot-5 Steven Williams and 6-foot-8 Clay Kincaid. The Bulldogs should look inside and threaten to attain every time on offense.
“We all know that all the pieces begins with our bigs inside, offensively and defensively,” Mondragon stated. “We now have to rebound on each ends of the ground.”
Push the tempo
The Bulldogs should make Valley play an up-tempo sport. Artesia is extra athletic and will permit Charlie Campbell, Braylon Vega, Cael Houghtaling, Jack Byers and Corbyn Dominguez to create within the open court docket. The disciplined Vikings wish to deal with the ball and search for high-percentage photographs.
“We now have to rise up and down the court docket,” Mondragon stated. “We now have to attempt to impose our will.”
The Pit is house court docket.
The Bulldogs can’t be intimidated by taking part in within the Pit. They need to really feel they’re taking part in at house within the Bulldog Pit. Each New Mexico highschool group’s purpose is to play within the mecca of New Mexico basketball, the Pit, on the finish of the season.
“I like our group and our possibilities,” Mondragon stated. “We now have a fantastic group of men, and so they proceed to remain collectively and battle collectively.”
J.T. Keith may be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.
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