Basketball Recap: Grants Comes Up Short

Grants lost against Valencia back in January and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. The Grants Pirates lost 47-24 to the Valencia Jaguars. While losing is never fun, the Pirates can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New Mexico basketball rankings (they are ranked 71st, while the Jaguars are ranked 13th).

Leading Valencia to victory were Jadyn Montoya and Francesca Otero. Montoya posted 18 points and three blocks, while Otero had 18 points and six rebounds. The matchup was Montoya's fourth in a row with at least 15 points. Another player making a difference was Jaiden Montgomery, who earned two points along with 13 boards and three steals.

Grants has traveled a rocky road recently having lost six of their last seven contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 9-14 record this season. As for Valencia, they are on a roll lately: they've won 11 of their last 12 games, which provided a nice bump to their 18-5 record this season.

Coincidentally, the two teams will both be playing St. Pius X the next time they take the court. Grants will head out to face St. Pius X at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, while Valencia will host them at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.