The Escalante Lobos were the 46-40 winner over Academy for Technology and The Classics when they last played one another back in December of 2022, but their luck changed this time around. Escalante took a 54-45 hit to the loss column at the hands of Academy for Technology and The Classics on Tuesday. While losing is never fun, Escalante can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New Mexico basketball rankings (they are ranked 67th, while Academy for Technology and The Classics is ranked 20th).
Escalante's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Luka Torrez, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds. Torrez is absolutely dominating the rebound category: he's posted at least eight every time he's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Damien Baeza, who scored 11 points along with two steals.
Even though they lost, Escalante smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Academy for Technology and The Classics only pulled down seven offensive rebounds.
Academy for Technology and The Classics' success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Rocky Miller led the charge by scoring 20 points along with seven rebounds. Julian Bernardino was another key contributor, scoring 22 points.
Escalante's defeat ended a four-game streak of away wins and brought them to 8-6. As for Academy for Technology and The Classics, the win was the seventh in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 12-2.
Escalante will look to defend their home court on Friday against Dulce at 7:00 p.m. As for Academy for Technology and The Classics, they will head out on the road to take on Texico at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Texico is coming into the matchup on a three-game losing streak.
