For the first time since 2016, the Patagonia Lobos girls basketball team will be playing in the state tournament.
The Lobos wrapped up their regular season on Friday, Jan. 26, with a never-in-doubt 47-18 victory over Superior. The win improved their record to 14-9 overall and 11-6 in games that count toward the state rankings. They entered Friday’s game ranked 13th in Class 1A, with a possibility of moving up higher.
The victory was the fifth in a row for Patagonia, though two were by virtue of forfeit. Still, coach Ralph Padilla saw some encouraging signs in on-court victories over Superior, San Simon (39-19), and The Gregory School (36-30).
“We had a couple of disappointing losses [to Valley Union and Duncan] but we’ve been playing better lately,” Padilla said. “When we move, don’t stand around, it makes a difference.”
In the win over Superior, the Lobos led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter and scored the game’s first 14 points before Superior broke the ice. It was 24-7 at the half and 40-13 at the end of three quarters, and the comfortable margin enabled Padilla to use all 13 of his players.
Seniors Jenny Vasquez and Heaven Day scored ten points apiece on Senior Night. Day also had five steals. Janelle Valenzuela had a team-leading nine rebounds and four assists, and Aliyah Gallardo had six points and four rebounds.
“I think my team played really well this season, and I’m happy I got to play with such an amazing group,” Day said. “I’m feeling a little sad that I’m going to be leaving a lot of them behind, but I know they’re going to do big things next year, and I can’t wait to watch them.”
Six seniors in all played their final home game. “They’re a good group,” Padilla said. “I’m going to miss them.”
The state tournament pairings won’t be known until after the super-regional tournament at St. David on Feb. 1-3 after this issue of the PRT goes to press.