See 200 of the Journal's best photos from prep basketball state championship
Sandia’s Sydney Benally takes control of the ball during a Class 5A girls quarterfinal game against Eldorado on Tuesday at the Pit.
Sandia’s Sydney Benally goes up for a shot against Eldorad during the girls 5A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Eldorado’s Bella Hines attempts a shot against Sandia during the girls 5A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Sandia’s Jolie Felix pulls down a rebound against Eldorado during the girls 5A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Eldorado’s Bella Hines attempts a shot over Sandia during the girls 5A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Sandia’s Hope Giddings goes up for a shot over Eldorado’s Chioma Holyfield during the girls 5A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Eldorado’s girls 5A quarterfinals game against Sandia at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
St. Pius celebrates after the Sartans scored against Bloomfield in a girls 4A quarterfinal at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. St. Pius won 40-36 in overtime.
St. Pius X Catalina Anaya goes up for a shot against Bloomfield at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. 40-36 Girls 4A quarterfinals.
St. Pius X Desirey Oritiz walks back to the bench during a time out during the girls 4A quarterfinals ame against Bloomfield at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. 40-36 Girls 4A quarterfinals.
Bloomfield’s Aliya Quintana is fouled by St. Pius X’s Alyssa Mays during the girls 4A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. 40-36 Girls 4A quarterfinals.
St. Pius Desirey Ortiz and Bloomfield’s Aliya Quintana fight for position for a rebound during the girls 4A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Bloomfield’s Danielle Johnson attempts a shot against St. Pius X during the girls 4A quarterfinals game at the Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. 40-36 Girls 4A quarterfinals.
Fort Sumner/House’s Tra’von Bonds runs past Legacy Academy’s David Lavery and Dallas Baca, right, for a layup in a Class 1A quarterfinal game at Bernalillo High School on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Fort Sumner/House’s Jordan Holland forces a turnover while defended by Legacy Academy’s Dallas Baca during the Class 1A quarterfinals game at Bernalillo High School on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Fort Sumner/House and Legacy Academy players position themselves for the rebound during the Class 1A quarterfinals game at Bernalillo High School on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Fort Sumner/House’s Tra'von Bonds attacks the rim while defended by Legacy Academy’s Bryant Scales during the Class 1A quarterfinals game at Bernalillo High School on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Legacy Academy’s Jaevion Scales, left, and Fort Sumner/House’s Joaquin Segura race for a loose ball during a Class 1A boys quarterfinal game Wednesday at Bernalillo High School.
Albuquerque junior cheerleader JulieAnna Roybal cheers during the 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
Albuquerque’s Kasyn Atanasoff-Perea (13) shoots the ball past Sandia’s Jahmil Crayton Johnson during Wednesday’s game.
Albuquerque senior Isaiah Maldonado reacts after the Bulldogs defeat Sandia in Wednesday's 5A boys quarterfinal at The Pit in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque senior Isaiah Maldonado (15) shoots the ball during the 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
Albuquerque High’s Kasyn Atanasoff-Perea (13) reacts after the Bulldogs defeated Sandia in Wednesday’s Class 5A boys quarterfinal at the Pit.
Albuquerque senior Isaiah Maldonado (15) loses passion of the ball during 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
Leroy Barela, Albuquerque head coach, reacts after the Bulldogs defeat Sandia during the 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
Sandia’s Gad Harris (22) looks to shoot the ball during 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
Albuquerque senior Isaiah Maldonado (15) pushes through Sandia senior Jahmil Crayton Johnson (2) and eighth-grader Gad Harris (22) shoots the ball as Sandia junior Mason Howell (23) closes in during 5A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Albuquerque won the game 59-49.
St. Pius senior Diego Maestas, center, reacts after the Sartans defeat Albuquerque Academy on Wednesday in a 4A boys quarterfinal at the Pit.
St. Pius X senior Crystian Perea (33) shoots the ball as Albuquerque Academy sophomore Hunter Aime (35) closes in during 4A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
St. Pius X senior Nicholas Rodriguez (5) shoots the ball as Albuquerque Academy senior Justin Mask (32) blocks the shot during 4A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
St. Pius X junior Mason Montoya (3) shoots the ball as Albuquerque Academy senior Joe Jack (24) reaches up attempting to block the shot during 4A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
St. Pius X senior Nicholas Rodriguez moves past Albuquerque Academy senior Justin Mask on Wednesday in a 4A boys quarterfinal at the Pit.
St. Pius X junior Carson Mcconnell (11) shoots the ball as Albuquerque Academy senior Jack Johnson (5) closes in during 4A boys quarterfinals at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
Ryan Myers, St. Pius X head coach, reacts during the 4A boys quarterfinals against Albuquerque Academy at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
St. Pius X junior Carson Mcconnell shoots past Albuquerque Academy senior Jack Johnson (5) on Wednesday in a 4A boys quarterfinal at the Pit.
Albuquerque Academy senior Justin Mask (32) gains possession of the ball during 4A boys quarterfinals against St. Pius X at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. St. Pius X won the game 60-58.
Sandia’s Sydney Benally (24) reacts with her teammates after Sandia beat Farmington in a Class 5A girls semifinal on Thursday. The Matadors will play Volcano Vista for the title on Saturday.
Sandia reacts after winning the 5A girls semifinals basketball game against Farmington at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M,, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
