Sandia knocks Rio Rancho girls out in quarterfinals

After getting the upset in the opening round of the state basketball tournament, the Ram girls fell in the quarterfinals March 11.

No. 2 SANDIA 60, No. 10 RIO RANCHO 43: The Matadors (28-1) advancing was hardly a shock, but how Sandia advanced certainly had the Pit buzzing a little.

Standout senior guard Sydney Benally not only did not start the game for the Matadors, she didn’t make her first appearance until midway through the second quarter.

The cause? Illness, Sandia coach Lee Kettig said.

“She woke up, lot of stuff going (around), flu, stomach pain, whatever that is,” Kettig said. “(Luckily), I have a team that’s six deep, and (Sydney) happens to have a sister who’s very, very good.”

Kaiyah Benally, a freshman, ran the show by and large for Sandia. And she was outstanding, with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

“I think I just had enough energy for what I played,” Sydney Benally said. She played approximately two quarters. “I’m excited that we got the win, I put all my faith and trust in my little sister.”

Still, without big sis in the game, this game was close and competitive throughout the half, which ended with Sandia in front 25-21.

The Matadors after halftime played their most Sandia-esque quarter of the game. Chloe Brown drained a 3 from the top for a 30-21 lead, and near the end of the quarter, both Benally sisters connected from long distance as Sandia took a 44-27 lead to the final quarter.

Kaiyah Benally said her sister’s insertion into the lineup had a ripple effect.

“I feel like she brought more balance and more calmness (to us),” Kaiyah said. “When we were in there without her, we felt too chaotic. When she came in, she calmed the team down.”

The Matadors’ veterans, who won a state title a year ago, all showed up. Hope Giddings scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Audri Wright added a dozen points, and Sydney Benally finished with 10 points and three assists.

Rio Rancho (21-11) didn’t help itself much with an awful shooting performance, 13-of-56 (23.2%) from the floor.

Additionally, No. 6 La Cueva moved on against No. 3 Mayfield, 44-33; No. 12 Carlsbad upset No. 4 Farmington 60-56; and No. 1 Hobbs showed its dominance, taking No. 8 Clovis down 82-21.

In the semifinals, Sandia continued its quest to defend its 2024 title, defeating La Cueva 64-35, and Hobbs had a commanding victory over Carlsbad, 71-38.

On Saturday, Sandia completed its state title defense, taking down the top-rated Hobbs, 47-38.