Brown's 24 points the perfect sendoff for 2024

The final: Bernalillo 48, Rio Grande 31.

Things looked scary at first. In fact, early on, the Spartans were down double digits.

However, some reinforcements helped rally from a 6-18 deficit.

“We knew players were going to have be sitting the first quarter, so it was all about coming strong in the second quarter and never giving up,” said Ashley Duran, who is in her second year as head coach for the girls basketball team.

Duran runs a tight ship at BHS and benched some players in the first quarter for disciplinary reasons.

“Just for missing practices and things ... I’m not an easy coach to play for,” Duran said. “But we have a super dedicated team; they are trusting the process. We have a super young team.”

Showing in a big way for the Spartans was sophomore center Samaria Brown, who scored 24 points.

“My grandpa had recently passed away, and Grandma passed away months ago ... I just think of them when we are down,” an emotional Brown said.

Brown also had five rebounds, two steals and two assists.

Another sophomore center showing out was Trinity Calabaza, who made her presence known on both sides of the court.

“She was the one feeding the ball to Brown. The two together are just a powerhouse. When they are playing ball together — and staying out of foul trouble — they are just so dominant,” Duran said of her sophomore center duo.

Calabaza logged a double-double and then some: 11 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, two blocks and five assists.

The Spartans will be back in action Jan. 2 in a home bout against the Cibola Cougars (4-2). It will be the Spartans’ first game in the Terry Darnell Tournament.