BAYFIELD WOLVERINES, A CLASS ACT.
Photo By: Brian Harmon
By Rion Eagan: After a tough week at Alamosa High School this week, the Alamosa Maroons faced the Bayfield Wolverines for the Intermountain League Title. Alamosa battled tough all day, but fell in both games of the twin billing. Final score in game one was 5-3, and in game 2 final was 16-5. Giving the Maroons the number two seed from the IML as playoffs start next week. After the game the Bayfield Baseball team gave a signed sympathy card to the Alamosa Baseball team for the tragic loss of Alamosa Senior Anisa Montoya, and Ortega Middle School student Selena Mascarenas. Alamosa Head Coach Jason Romero called it a "class act" and thanked the Bayfield community for their thoughts and prayers during this tough time.
RICARDO HOWARD, PUTTING SIERRA GRANDE BASKETBALL ON THE MAP.
Photo By: Tyler G Woods
By Rion Eagan: The Sierra Grande Basketball team put together a run this
season that is almost hard to fathom. The Panthers were an astounding 24-1 and
earned a State Runner up in Class 1A. Sierra Grande won and won big, even
though falling short in the State Championship, they won. Not however to Class
1A League Player of the Year, junior, Ricardo Howard.
This team was not about moral victories in just getting to the State Championship, there was disappointment because they didn't win it. They believe they should have won it, and that is fueling the fire for next year’s team. I asked Howard if the loss would prove to be a motivation for next season, "Heck yeah it has motivated all of us so much,” he said, “ I have already started working hard for next season." Next year the Panthers will move up to the 2A ranks with the likes of Sanford, Sargent, Del Norte, and Sangre de Cristo. The competition will no doubt be tougher but Howard welcomes the challenge. "I feel we will do real well next year in 2A. We already play some tough 2A teams throughout our season.”
When asked if he expected the fast paced action of Caliche in the State Championship game Howard replied, "Well after watching them play Walsh we all noticed that they were fast, smart, and big...just like us. All of our team knew it was going to be a four quarter battle, no breaks, just a running game...all of us knew it was going to be a good hard fought game and it wasn't going to be easy." I asked him to describe what it felt like walking on to the floor in Loveland that Saturday night knowing he was hours from the prize, "I felt amazing, words can't explain the feeling. You are there getting ready for the biggest game of your life and knowing that you've made it this far is awesome. I'm so glad that I got to experience that feeling."
Ricardo likes hanging out with friends and going to the movies. His favorite kind of music is hip-hop and says right now he doesn't have a favorite song. Family is also important to Ricardo as he said, "I love hanging out with my family." Ricardo asked me to pass on a message to the readers of this article. "Thank you so much for supporting us and believing in us. It was great to know that we had the Valley behind us going into the state tournament. We all said, “Ok guys, let's do this not only for us and our school but for our fans and our community that drove this far to watch us play, so now let's give them a show they won't forget.” All I can say is thank you guys so much we would have never gone so far without you all. The fans of the Valley are one of the things that motivated us so much. Thanks! We love all of you!"
The Sierra Grande team was honored at the Arby's All-Star game last Friday night as they received a well-deserved standing ovation from the capacity crowd at Plachy Hall. One thing I have learned this season in covering the Sierra Grande Panthers is they are a very humble team and take nothing for granted. Coach Matt Lucero and his staff have something big happening in Fort Garland and it is being done the right way. SanLuisValleySports.Com would like to congratulate the Sierra Grande Panthers for captivating the heart of the entire San Luis Valley. We can say without a doubt that on Saturday, March 10th, 2012, we were all Panthers!
Ricardo will participate in Lakewood at the Gold Crown Field House, Sunday April 1st, 2012 for the U.S.A Junior Nationals from 8am-5pm, general admission is $5.
He is also scheduled to play in the Down Under Games in Australia this summer and is trying to raise money to do so. If you would like to help donate to take Ricardo's talents to Australia please visit the following website; https://www.downundersports.com/make-payment
This team was not about moral victories in just getting to the State Championship, there was disappointment because they didn't win it. They believe they should have won it, and that is fueling the fire for next year’s team. I asked Howard if the loss would prove to be a motivation for next season, "Heck yeah it has motivated all of us so much,” he said, “ I have already started working hard for next season." Next year the Panthers will move up to the 2A ranks with the likes of Sanford, Sargent, Del Norte, and Sangre de Cristo. The competition will no doubt be tougher but Howard welcomes the challenge. "I feel we will do real well next year in 2A. We already play some tough 2A teams throughout our season.”
When asked if he expected the fast paced action of Caliche in the State Championship game Howard replied, "Well after watching them play Walsh we all noticed that they were fast, smart, and big...just like us. All of our team knew it was going to be a four quarter battle, no breaks, just a running game...all of us knew it was going to be a good hard fought game and it wasn't going to be easy." I asked him to describe what it felt like walking on to the floor in Loveland that Saturday night knowing he was hours from the prize, "I felt amazing, words can't explain the feeling. You are there getting ready for the biggest game of your life and knowing that you've made it this far is awesome. I'm so glad that I got to experience that feeling."
Ricardo likes hanging out with friends and going to the movies. His favorite kind of music is hip-hop and says right now he doesn't have a favorite song. Family is also important to Ricardo as he said, "I love hanging out with my family." Ricardo asked me to pass on a message to the readers of this article. "Thank you so much for supporting us and believing in us. It was great to know that we had the Valley behind us going into the state tournament. We all said, “Ok guys, let's do this not only for us and our school but for our fans and our community that drove this far to watch us play, so now let's give them a show they won't forget.” All I can say is thank you guys so much we would have never gone so far without you all. The fans of the Valley are one of the things that motivated us so much. Thanks! We love all of you!"
The Sierra Grande team was honored at the Arby's All-Star game last Friday night as they received a well-deserved standing ovation from the capacity crowd at Plachy Hall. One thing I have learned this season in covering the Sierra Grande Panthers is they are a very humble team and take nothing for granted. Coach Matt Lucero and his staff have something big happening in Fort Garland and it is being done the right way. SanLuisValleySports.Com would like to congratulate the Sierra Grande Panthers for captivating the heart of the entire San Luis Valley. We can say without a doubt that on Saturday, March 10th, 2012, we were all Panthers!
Ricardo will participate in Lakewood at the Gold Crown Field House, Sunday April 1st, 2012 for the U.S.A Junior Nationals from 8am-5pm, general admission is $5.
He is also scheduled to play in the Down Under Games in Australia this summer and is trying to raise money to do so. If you would like to help donate to take Ricardo's talents to Australia please visit the following website; https://www.downundersports.com/make-payment
CENTENNIAL'S ALBERT BIG GAME IN A SMALL TOWN.
Photo By: Tyler G Woods
By Rion Eagan: San Luis, Colorado, home of Centennial High School and the 1A Southern Peaks League Girls Player of The Year, junior Alexis Albert. From her quotes you will soon realize why Centennial High School has something special in Albert: “Life is short, so we have to enjoy every minute of it... there is a time for everything and it does take more muscles to frown than it does to smile.” To see Alexis play the game of basketball, she would appear to be aggressive where nothing stands in her way of a win, but she has a mature side to her that makes you say wow! Alexis just finished up to what some would call a great season, but to her and her Centennial teammates, it wasn’t enough. Centennial played most of the season with just six girls. When I asked Albert how hard that was she stated, “Playing with six girls this season was a challenge, we had to work very hard every day.” A word that was frequent in my conversation with Alexis was “Hard Work”.
When Centennial played Moffat/ Mountain Valley in the Semi Finals of Districts at Alamosa High School , Alexis had felt under the weather. “Before the start of the game my coaches pulled me to the side and reassured me that it was just a game, to have fun, and to play my game. After that I was able to relax enough to think of what needed to be done in order to win.” Alexis did just that as her final stats for the game: 30 points, 20 of those coming in the second half of a close game, and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line. When asked how hard it must have been shooting free throws late in a close game in which she had played nearly the entire game, plus being sick she simply said, “I felt confident with my shot. The whole game was intense but with the trust that we had in each other it helped us to come out with a victory.” Centennial did win the game but would lose the following night to their rivals from Sierra Grande.
When not on the basketball floor, Alexis likes to hang out with friends and family. She gives all credit to her family for the person and player she has become. “My family pushes me very hard to be my best.” You would think being a great basketball player would be satisfying enough to Albert but no, she is also a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She plans on testing to Second Dan this summer. When asked if she plans to take her game to the collegiate level she said, “Playing college basketball has been one of my dreams for a very long time.” I asked if she and the Lady Rams could draw motivation from the season and story of their rivals down the highway, Sierra Grande. Albert said, “They had an amazing season and it was very inspiring to see a small valley team be able to compete with the top teams throughout the state. It has shown us that with hard work and dedication anything is possible and as long as you believe in yourself and your team dreams can come true.”
Alexis has already started track for the Rams, and told me she is looking forward to basketball next season. Centennial has a great group of underclassmen coming in next year that will give them height. “We plan on working hard this summer and attending some camps. There are several freshman that are showing interest in coming out for the team. We are going to have height and speed next year and we will continue with our motto: Believe."
Alexis and her Centennial teammates would like to thank everybody for their support this year and specially gives thanks to head coach Ramiro Ramirez and his staff. Good things are happening in San Luis. If you don’t think so, just talk to some of the young adults that play for the green and white of Centennial. Not only are they great athletes on the floor, but great kids in their everyday lives. When being congratulated for being the Player of the Year award in the 1A Southern Peaks League Alexis replied with the words every young athlete should say at the end of the day, “Thanks, I worked hard.”
When Centennial played Moffat/ Mountain Valley in the Semi Finals of Districts at Alamosa High School , Alexis had felt under the weather. “Before the start of the game my coaches pulled me to the side and reassured me that it was just a game, to have fun, and to play my game. After that I was able to relax enough to think of what needed to be done in order to win.” Alexis did just that as her final stats for the game: 30 points, 20 of those coming in the second half of a close game, and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line. When asked how hard it must have been shooting free throws late in a close game in which she had played nearly the entire game, plus being sick she simply said, “I felt confident with my shot. The whole game was intense but with the trust that we had in each other it helped us to come out with a victory.” Centennial did win the game but would lose the following night to their rivals from Sierra Grande.
When not on the basketball floor, Alexis likes to hang out with friends and family. She gives all credit to her family for the person and player she has become. “My family pushes me very hard to be my best.” You would think being a great basketball player would be satisfying enough to Albert but no, she is also a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She plans on testing to Second Dan this summer. When asked if she plans to take her game to the collegiate level she said, “Playing college basketball has been one of my dreams for a very long time.” I asked if she and the Lady Rams could draw motivation from the season and story of their rivals down the highway, Sierra Grande. Albert said, “They had an amazing season and it was very inspiring to see a small valley team be able to compete with the top teams throughout the state. It has shown us that with hard work and dedication anything is possible and as long as you believe in yourself and your team dreams can come true.”
Alexis has already started track for the Rams, and told me she is looking forward to basketball next season. Centennial has a great group of underclassmen coming in next year that will give them height. “We plan on working hard this summer and attending some camps. There are several freshman that are showing interest in coming out for the team. We are going to have height and speed next year and we will continue with our motto: Believe."
Alexis and her Centennial teammates would like to thank everybody for their support this year and specially gives thanks to head coach Ramiro Ramirez and his staff. Good things are happening in San Luis. If you don’t think so, just talk to some of the young adults that play for the green and white of Centennial. Not only are they great athletes on the floor, but great kids in their everyday lives. When being congratulated for being the Player of the Year award in the 1A Southern Peaks League Alexis replied with the words every young athlete should say at the end of the day, “Thanks, I worked hard.”
ALAMOSA BOYS DOMINATE BAYFIELD.
PHOTO BY LARRY J VIGIL
Rion K Eagan - It didn't take long for the 9th ranked Mean Moose to rebound from a tough loss in Pagosa Springs Friday night. Alamosa hosted Bayfield Saturday and after a very sluggish first period, Alamosa put the pedal to the medal having out scored the Bayfield Wolverines in the second quarter by 11 points. Alamosa's defense was turned up only allowing the Wolverines 5 two point field goals in the second quarter, thus turning the tide for the Maroons and they would never look back Alamosa would win going away 66-46. Alamosa leading score was Jigmei Dorgi with 19 with three very long distance 3 pointers. As for next week Centauri takes a trip down Highway 285 and a date with their long time rivals the Alamosa Maroons at 7PM. Samuel Bilderbeck 4 points, Sebastian Rogers 2 points, Lars Livings 5 points, Jigmei Dorgi 19 points, Ryan Martinez 4 points, Zach Meyer 6 points, Tyler Martinez 10 points, Jacob Gibbs 10 points, and Cody VanRy finished out the scoring for the Maroons with 6 points.
Alamosa Outlasts Sanford In Close Game.
PHOTO: TYLER G WOODS
By Rion Eagan: Boys Game was the night cap of the Friday night version of
the Alamosa Holiday Shootout and boy it didn’t disappoint! The Alamosa Maroons faced the Sanford Indians
as these two teams were the only undefeated teams left in the Shootout. In a game that was close from the opening tip, Alamosa
was determined to make sure they didn’t lose on their home floor. The game had a technical foul and
plenty of physicality as Alamosa went into the Locker Room with a 3 point lead
over the Indians. 3rd Quarter
started with some hot shooting by Alamosa’s Jigmei Dorgi (Senior) connecting on
back to back 3 pointers in consecutive possessions. Back would come the Indians with some hot
shooting of their own in the person of Josh Jarvies(Senior) connecting on his first 3 shots of the 3rd Quarter and finishing the game with 10 points. Alamosa held on for the win 58-51, Alamosa was led in scoring by Jigmei Dorgi who finished the contest with 20 points. Both Alamosa and Sanford finish up the Shootout tomorrow afternoon before heading to the Christmas break. Sanford gets going at 2:30PM as the face the La Veta Redskins while the Maroons will be back on the floor at 5:30PM against the Demons from Buena Vista.
Lady Indians Win As Defense Was Key.
PHOTO: TYLER G WOODS
By Rion Eagan: Night two of the Alamosa Holiday Shootout found the Sanford Indians facing off against the Alamosa Maroons in both Boys and Girls action. First the girls, in a game that had a one point difference going into the third quarter 31-30 in favor of Sanford quickly got out of hand in the 4th quarter for the Lady Maroons. Sanford showed why they will be a tough customer to deal with this year coming off a State Championship last season. The Lady Indians shut Alamosa down in the 4th Quarter only allowing 4 points on two field goals. Sanford would go on to win the game 49-34. The Indians were led by Kelli Canty (Jr) who finished with 13 points. Sanford wraps up their portion of the Holiday Shootout tomorrow when they play Crested Butte tipoff is 1 PM. Alamosa will look to rebound from the loss when the face Buena Vista at 4:00PM.
COWBOYS VS INDIANS STORY BOOK RIVALS AS SANFORD IS VICTORIOUS
PHOTO BY TYLER G WOODS
By Tyler G Woods: Today was a beautiful day for football in Sanford. Sanford Indians welcomed in the Plateau Valley Cowboys in a Cross Conference match-up . The Indians were led by four seniors. Josh Jarvies (Sr.QB), Stetson Edgar (Sr.TE), Mason Larsen (Sr.DL), and Colton Crowther (Sr.LB)
The momentum shifted early in the game. With 6:51 left to play in the 1st quarter the defensive squad of the Indians made a 4th down stop against the cowboys. The Indians offense moved the ball down field and put the first score on the board with 39 seconds on the clock in the first quarter. Calder Larsen had an impressive day running the ball for a gain of 34 yards late in the second quarter and an impressive touchdown run that went for 23 yards with 4:53 left in third quarter.
Standout Senior Josh Jarvies had 3 touchdowns on the ground. One touchdown went for 56 yards and another went for 49 yards. Jarvies also had one touchdown in the air to Kevin Crowther (Soph.WR) which went for 44 yards.
The Indians defense stood their ground. Senior Mason Larsen fell on the ball in the back of the end-zone with 52 seconds left in the first half. The cowboys bobbled a snap to their punter and Larsen took advantage of the Cowboys mishap.
Overall a victorious day for the Indians in Sanford, with the final score 48 to 0 over the Plateau Valley Cowboys. Playoff action is scheduled for next Saturday for the Indians.
The momentum shifted early in the game. With 6:51 left to play in the 1st quarter the defensive squad of the Indians made a 4th down stop against the cowboys. The Indians offense moved the ball down field and put the first score on the board with 39 seconds on the clock in the first quarter. Calder Larsen had an impressive day running the ball for a gain of 34 yards late in the second quarter and an impressive touchdown run that went for 23 yards with 4:53 left in third quarter.
Standout Senior Josh Jarvies had 3 touchdowns on the ground. One touchdown went for 56 yards and another went for 49 yards. Jarvies also had one touchdown in the air to Kevin Crowther (Soph.WR) which went for 44 yards.
The Indians defense stood their ground. Senior Mason Larsen fell on the ball in the back of the end-zone with 52 seconds left in the first half. The cowboys bobbled a snap to their punter and Larsen took advantage of the Cowboys mishap.
Overall a victorious day for the Indians in Sanford, with the final score 48 to 0 over the Plateau Valley Cowboys. Playoff action is scheduled for next Saturday for the Indians.
ATHLETES OF THE SAN LUIS VALLEY
By Larry J Vigil: It takes a special person to be an athlete. A certain kind of understanding of feelings you can’t quite explain but wouldn’t care to anyway. It’s a personal connection, an adrenaline rush through your veins. During the regular season you can feel it build more and more in your heart and you would do anything to live it 24/7.
Passion is a great way to describe what it takes to be a true athlete. Working harder and getting stronger every day for your coach, your teammates, and most importantly for yourself. The experience of pure joy and intensity when you set that ball, catch that pass, or land your stunts perfectly goes beyond anything you need to speak of. It’s a feeling that can’t be described and it should remain that way.
Playoffs are a special time. A time to showcase all your hard work and the dedication you’ve shown to the improvement of your sport. They are a time of reflection back to when you thought you couldn’t make it through the toughest of conditioning or the fiercest of competition to be one of the best.
Win or lose you made it. You’ve done something most wish they would have done and that was never letting up or never quitting. Be proud of yourself for taking it this far and dream to go even further.
To all athletes of the San Luis Valley please know that your hard work and dedication to what you are doing does not go un-noticed. Be proud of yourselves and what you accomplish no matter how small the feat. You’re giving it 110% and that’s what matters most!
Passion is a great way to describe what it takes to be a true athlete. Working harder and getting stronger every day for your coach, your teammates, and most importantly for yourself. The experience of pure joy and intensity when you set that ball, catch that pass, or land your stunts perfectly goes beyond anything you need to speak of. It’s a feeling that can’t be described and it should remain that way.
Playoffs are a special time. A time to showcase all your hard work and the dedication you’ve shown to the improvement of your sport. They are a time of reflection back to when you thought you couldn’t make it through the toughest of conditioning or the fiercest of competition to be one of the best.
Win or lose you made it. You’ve done something most wish they would have done and that was never letting up or never quitting. Be proud of yourself for taking it this far and dream to go even further.
To all athletes of the San Luis Valley please know that your hard work and dedication to what you are doing does not go un-noticed. Be proud of yourselves and what you accomplish no matter how small the feat. You’re giving it 110% and that’s what matters most!
| 
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||