NMMI Sports Press
Despite playing with a greatly abbreviated roster due to the semester break, the Colt varsity boys’ basketball still managed to take one of the three tournament games they played last weekend at the 5th annual Rio Grande Shootout in Truth or Consequences, NM.
NMMI started the tourney against host Hot Springs High School. The 61-29 loss dropped NMMI into the consolation bracket. Junior PG Jake Hayes led the team in points with 12, the only Colt in double digits, while senior center Ian Thompson pulled down 12 rebounds.
The Institute bounced back with a win in their second game by clipping Lordsburg, 46-42, to advance to the consolation finals. Hayes was again the top scorer for the Colts with 18, but NMMI had increased offensive support across the board, including nine by junior guard Xavier Johnson, and eight by junior forward Carper Lackey.
In the consolation championship, NMMI fell to Silver High School, 51-37. Thompson was the game’s high scorer with 18, while Hayes contributed 11, but 23 turnovers plagued the Colt comeback. Thompson also had another great game cleaning the glass with 12 rebounds.
Following the Shootout’s conclusion, Hayes was named to the All-Tournament team, but head NMMI coach Connor Williamson had high praise for all of his players.
"The tournament was a huge success for Colt basketball,” said Williamson. “We played 3 games with 6/14 varsity players and 2 JV players, all guys who chose to give part of their break to stay with the team. Every player got significantly better throughout the games. That's all we're trying to do: get better every time we step on the floor."
Next up for the Colts – who move to 3-3 overall on the season – will be another tournament, in Jal, after the holiday break.
“Our next game is January 4th,” continued Williamson. “All 14 varsity players will return on the 2nd to prepare for the Jal Tournament. This will be the first time we’ve seen all 14 players together in a practice this season. Our first game against a very tough Eunice team - looking forward to it.”