NMMI Sports Press
The Colts won their third straight, routing the Rattlers at home, 73-41, and solidifying at least a second-place finish in district with one game left in the regular season.
NMMI’s been on a roll in the latter half of district with two wins last week: at home vs. Dexter, 60-44; then knocking off undefeated-in-district Ruidoso at their place, 51-46.
The Institute squad has looked impressive during that district run, especially on the defensive side, but tonight against visiting Tucumcari, NMMI’s offense looked almost unstoppable as well, shooting 58% from the field.
The Colts won every period, taking a double-digit lead after the first, 19-9, then snagged the second by seven, 20-13, to take a huge 17-point into the locker room at halftime.
Another 10-point difference occurred in the third. NMMI drained seven of their first eight shots from the field, including a trio of treys by three different players, and, after an offensive rebound and put-back by Cole Seidenberger, NMMI had doubled-up the Rattler’s point tally, 54-27, with 3:58 still left to play in the stanza.
Thanks to the 27-point lead, the fourth was relatively low-scoring affair, with the Colts moving the ball, working the clock, looking to take only high-percentage shots.
Three Institute players posted double-digit point totals, led by Lorenzo Peral’s game-high of 22. Peral nailed eight of his eleven shots from the field, including a 5-for-7 mark from behind the arc. He also had five assists, four steals and two blocked shots.
Ian Thompson contributed 16 points and swept the boards for 12 rebounds, earning the double-double. He also racked up 4 assists.
Cole Seidenberger also picked up at least four assists, possibly more if high school basketball were governed by FIBA rules, which allows awarding of assists to players who make a pass to a player who is then fouled and makes at least one of the succeeding free throws. He also had 12 points.
With the win, NMMI moves to 13-10 overall and 3-2 in district. They’ve got one game left before the post-season district tournament, at Dexter High on Friday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 pm.
When asked about the difference between tonight big win and the Colts’ 64-53 loss at Tucumcari earlier in the season, NMMI head coach Connor Williamson had this to say: “The first difference is that we had Ian [Thompson] back for this game. But it was just a better team effort: we shot the ball better, moved the ball better, and played tough defense for 32 minutes.
“It helps to shoot the ball that well,” continue coach Williamson, “but we did have good shot quality, moving the ball that well, being unselfish. No one took more than eleven shots and everyone got something – that’s what you want to see.”
Ruidoso sits atop the district standing with a 4-1 mark and one final game at Tucumcari on Friday. The Colts need Tucumcari to pull out the win in order to force a tie for first place. If that happens – and NMMI downs the Demons – both teams would be 4-2, forcing a neutral site game between the Colts and Warriors to determine the first place seeding for the district tournament.
“I’m just very proud of the effort, especially on Senior Night,” finished Williamson. “All our seniors contributed, and all of them scored points as well. And no matter where we end up, we’re just going to fight and do our best so that we get a chance to play in the postseason.”