RHS teams nab key wins

Robertson’s basketball teams secured a couple of important victories — each significant in its own way — this week.

Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Heather Aragon lines up a shot for the Robertson Lady Cardinals in a recent home game. RHS coach Rick Armijo praised Aragon’s efforts on both ends of the floor Wednesday night in a win over Pojoaque Valley.

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Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Ryan Tafoya and the Robertson Cardinals stunned No. 2 Sandia Prep on Tuesday in Albuquerque. That win on the resumé could come in handy once March rolls around.

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The boys’ team pulled a road upset at non-district foe Sandia Prep on Tuesday night in a game that could pay off when state tournament seedings are decided.

And the girls recorded a clutch win Wednesday at home against always tough Pojoaque Valley.

Cardinals 71, Sundevils 65
Sandia Prep (14-5 overall) was the No. 2 ranked team in Class 3A boys’ hoops going into Tuesday’s game.

Robertson (9-11) played well enough in the first half to keep within striking distance, trailing 18-12 after one period and 40-30 at the half.

The Cardinals, increasingly cohesive across the lineup as the game progressed, stepped up in the second half.

By the end of the third, they’d closed to within 55-50.

Then RHS put together its best offensive quarter and its stingiest defensive period, outscoring the Sundevils 21-10 to pull out the victory.

Lady Cards 53, Elkettes 52
Playing tough for a much-needed District 2-3A win, Robertson stormed to a 29-18 advantage by half.

Pojoaque worked the zone and got things close but the Lady Cards held on.

“It was a total team effort from all the girls,” said RHS coach Rick Armijo. “Heather (Aragon) came up big, both offensively and defensively.”

“And we had three girls in double figures. When we do that, we can compete with anybody.”

Abbey Bradley (17 points), Heather Aragon (16) and Kendra Montoya (12) led the Robertson scoring.

Armijo made note of the team’s job at the foul line — an 18-for-23 tally — as another factor.

“It was a lot better,” he said. “We’ve been working on free throws more since the West game, shooting when we’re tired.”