NMMI Sports Press

The Colt varsity basketball team [2-5] picked up their first win of the new year and their second ‘W’ on the season, downing Tularosa [7-6] in Friday’s first round of the Dexter Invitational, 38-32.

It was close back-and-forth game with NMMI pulling away in the fourth quarter, thanks to a combination of six points in the period from Institute sophomore center Chris Blair, along with a six-for-six performance from the charity stripe in the last minute of play. Junior guard Hector Reyna made four of those final free throws, with junior forward Nigel Grubbs converting on the other two.

“We just played a lot better, all the way around,” said head Colt coach Sean Schooley. “We rebounded extremely well, and only gave Tularosa three or four extra shots.”

The win helps NMMI recover from a lopsided 60-18 loss to Dexter just two days ago.

“Being off a month, then having one practice before playing a run-and-gun team like Dexter was going to be a tough task,” explained Schooley. “But I told our guys that we were going to get better the more we play. So it was really good for these kids to bounce back, play well, and learn how to close out a game where you are ahead.”

Blair was the top scorer for the Colts with 12 points. He also earned the vaunted double-double with 12 rebounds.

With the win, the Colts advance to the tournament semifinals and will face the winner of the Melrose/Mesilla Valley Christian game tomorrow at 4:15 P.M.

“Psychologically, the win gives our kids a boost,” finished Schooley. “Now we’re in the winner’s side of the bracket and we’ll see how far we can go.”