The New Mexico Military Institute varsity boys’ basketball team won their home pre-district contest, downing Loving High School, 53-28.

NMMI, at times, looked more than ready for district play, with solid press-breaking abilities and some great ball movement resulting in easy points in the paint.

The first, second and fourth periods especially showcased head coach Connor Williamson’s brand of fast-paced, push-the-ball-up-the-court style of play. The Institute won each of those quarters handily: 13-9 after the first; outscoring the Falcons 19-3 in the second; and taking the final stanza by a 14-6 mark.

The only quarter won by Loving was the third, 10-7, and that was the result mostly of Colt turnovers.

 Nine players dropped in points for NMMI, led once again by sophomore point guard Ernesto Martinez with 14. Senior and junior forwards Humberto Romero and Matthew McCargish both contributed points down low, notching eight points each.

“It was a good game for us,” said coach Williamson. “We always have stuff we need to work on to get better and we’ll definitely use our time to do that and get ready for district. That’s what these games are all about – trying to get us ready to play district. I think the district looks really competitive across the board and we just need to get ready to play.”

With the win, the Colts move to 4-6 overall with two more ‘tune-up’ games prior to beginning play in District 4 3A, both next week at home: vs. Goddard on Tues. Jan. 24 at 6:30 pm and vs. Hagerman on Thurs. Jan. 26 at 7 pm. Both of those games will be held in the Cahoon Armory gym on the NMMI campus, and the public, as always, is encouraged to attend.