Colts clip Eagles to win season opener

Left: NMMII's Kaytlyn Lackey with two of her game-high 18 points. Center: Brenda Garcia at the charity stripe for the the Lady Colts. Right: Nine points by Paulina Sanchez including this open jumper from 6-feet. (NMMI Sports Press photos)
Left: NMMII's Kaytlyn Lackey with two of her game-high 18 points. Center: Brenda Garcia at the charity stripe for the the Lady Colts. Right: Nine points by Paulina Sanchez including this open jumper from 6-feet. (NMMI Sports Press photos)
Posted: Jan 16, 2024

NMMI Sports Press

The New Mexico Military Institute Lady Colts won their season opening game, downing Hondo Valley High School at home, 36-25.

Freshman point guard Kaytlyn Lackey led the NMMI offense with 18 points, but it was a tenacious defense and transition game that helped the Colts surge ahead in the first quarter, 12-6.

The Lady Eagles won the second quarter thanks to some quick offensive adjustments, but still trailed by five at the half: 20-15.

Five players put points on the board for the Lady Colts in third - winning the period 13-2 – using their size advantage to pull down rebounds on both offense and defense. Senior post Paulina Sanchez was NMMI’s top glass-cleaner and just missed earning the double-double with well over 15 rebounds and nine points.

NMMI’s other players with points in the third included a three by senior post Yasmeen Marrufo; two points off a steal and a fast-break by Samamtha Moore; and an offensive rebound and put-back by sophomore wing Siany McGhan-Barthel.

With a 15-point lead going into the final stanza, NMMI’s bench got some extra playing time and Hondo won the fourth, 8-3.

“The girls played well and we got the ‘W’,” said Lawrence Hall Jr., NMMI’s new head coach. “We really emphasize getting out of the fast break and pushing the ball – we’re looking to turn our defense into offense always. I was happy with that and a lot of things, but we definitely have a lot of room to improve.”

Next up for Hall and his Lady Colts will be another home game, as they take on in-town rival Gateway Christian at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 at NMMI’s Godfrey Athletic Center gym.

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