There’s five Aggie Sporting events in the next six days that I was planning on going to, so I took the week off. That’s also all of the events I was planning to go to this month. I’ve also been sort of dreading tonight’s double header with Aggie Women’s and Men’s Basketball, but it’s been boring enough at home to this point that I’m good to go. Two back-to-back basketball games against DII opponents, New Mexico Highlands, might not be that entertaining. Worse, they could be very entertaining, which wouldn’t bode well for the rest of the season.
The ladies played their first official game against#18 USC last week. (I was at their exhibition before that.) We weren’t surprised by an 87-48 loss. However, Lucia Yenes did surprise us with a 27 point and 5 rebound performance. That led the team in both categories. Imani Warren had 11 points, but unfortunately that was almost all of scoring.
Emma Christiano had 4 assists, which was the team high. Coach Adams told a story about her on the Aggie Coaches Show. The team’s first game together was a trip with the Men into Mexico. Emma was crying after the game. The Coach asked her if she was okay. “Coach, these are happy tears.” Emma was just so happy to be an Aggie after growing up a fan.
I have a couple of not so heartwarming Aggie Sports stories. Aggie Football had another heartbreaking loss over the weekend to Kennesaw State. After giving up 24 points to start the game, the Aggie defense held the number one team in C-USA scoreless for two and half quarters. The offense went to work and got it to within 3 at the end of the game. Unfortunately a missed 50-yard goal ended the game. 24-21 Owls final. Kicker Ryan Hawk was also injured on that play is out for the next game.
(Odd note, the winless Sam Houston State Bearkats were on national TV on the CW playing Oregon State last weekend. LA Tech will be playing on there this weekend against Washington State. The “PAC-12” is desperate for opponents.)
Meanwhile, Aggie Softball Coach Kathy Rodolph and Associate Head Coach Cat Heifner left the program. They were here through the Fall exhibition schedule, which I now regret not going to. Coach Rodolph had expressed enthusiasm for new AD Joe Fields. This seems like a firing or a sudden sharp disagreement since the new season is just a few of months away. Assistant Coach Benet Higgs was promoted to Interim Head Coach, as there’s not enough time to do a search for a replacement. An ESPN article had no explanation. I’ll see if I can get more information. Good luck to Kathy and Cat. Though things had fallen off the last two seasons with the conference change, they did a great job here and are responsible for all of the success the Aggie Softball program has ever had.
I went to tonight’s game way early, anticipating traffic issues and wanting to get a decent parking spot. Inside the Pan-Am Center, I once again turned down a souvenir from the lovely Sydney McIntosh, former Aggie Volleyball player. I already had a rally towel. Some ROTC members were selling sweatshirts with the word, “Bastard” on them. I presume this had something to do with the Veteran’s Day Bataan Memorial Death March event from this morning in Las Cruces. Maybe? (The “Battling Bastards of Bataan” from WWII? They were a New Mexico National Guard unit.) I’m not actually sure they were selling them either.
I just missed the Aggies warming up on court, but a Flag Honor Guard was there. The Highlands Cowgirls came out and were enthusiastically greeted by a section of purple-clad Highlands fans. The team looked kind of short. They had one 6’1”, Adrianna Torrez, who was from Las Cruces. She gave a big, happy wave to her cheering fans in the crowd. The team was mostly from New Mexico with two international players. One was from New Zealand and a tall, pretty blonde, Jessie Ford, from England.
The team was rushed off the court for the Anthem. Even the Refs left. The Aggies were in the locker room. Happy Veteran’s Day. (For further insult, the Aggies were wearing camo warmup tops.) One of the refs looked like a grandma, but the fittest, hardest grandma ever. I wouldn’t mess with her. Coach Adams was wearing a jacket with “Aggies” written on the back in rhinestones. It was a good crowd at 1,238. A bunch of these fans were parents of some little cheerleader girls, who’d be performing at halftime. Mrs. Hubbard was again here, though still in a wheelchair.
I have to mention the music today. There was a cool remix of Van Halen’s Panama on the PA during warmups. On the way over on the radio, I heard two interesting remakes of more 80’s standards, Head over Heels and Don’t You Forget About Me. Regrettably, this is best modern music come up with: 80’s remakes.
First Quarter
I wasn’t even close on the scorecard for either team. Why did I bother? A lady did ask me if I was keeping score. Apparently not. The first play was a foul on Loes Rozing, but NMH missed both free throws. That was a bad sign for them. Imani scored the first points going off the glass. Anna Csenyi followed that with a 3. Kapolei Antielu (I think that’s an American Indian name) got the first Highlands points with a jumper. Kamalani Anitielu (I sense a relationship) intercepted a bad pass by Loes and converted on it for a jumper. Imani came right back with a steal and a layup. Lucia scored and drew a foul shot. It was 10-4 Aggies about 6’ left in the quarter.
Kamalani scored another NMH basket and the team briefly went to a full-court press. Emma came in after a tie up. She made an immediate assist to Imani and a made a steal and an assist to Anna for a layup. (Unfortunately, the official recap didn’t have assist stats.) It was 14-6 Aggies with 4’ left.
In a timeout, they introduced the “Say ‘Cheese!’ Cam” sponsored by a cheese company. Vets in the crowd were asked to stand up for a round of applause. Back to play, Imani made another steal and Morane Dossou found Lucia Lara for a layup. (I’m going to list Lucia Yenes as “Lucia” and Lucia Lara as “Lucia L.” I kept it straight in my notes, at least.)
Emma made another steal, but Morne was called for a charge going to the basket. Emma then took a hard foul and went to the floor. Unfortunately, she missed both free throws. Kamalani stripped Emma of the ball next, but went out and turned it over. Cowgirl Aspen Salazar then elbowed Emma to the court. There was confusion over the foul call. NMH took a foul shot, but it was waved off and didn’t count as the refs reconsidered. Highlands missed a long last second shot and got serenaded by the Band with “Airball!” It was 18-8 Aggies after 10 minutes of play.
Second Quarter
AD Fields was here. He circulated around the Pan-Am Center smiling and shaking hands. He mingled with the Highlands’ section amicably. On court, Loes intercepted a pass and got it to Iyana Beh for a layup. Lucia put in another layup after. Then there was a delay, as the refs got confused on possession. The crew was having some moments, but I’m not calling them out, because I don’t want Hard Grandma coming after me.
Imani and Aspen exchanged layups. Imani made a behind the head pass to Iyana for a layup. Someone lost a shoe on the play. I did not see any players with only one shoe. Was it a ref? Everyone saw something fly across the floor. 28-10 Aggies with 7’ left. In a timeout, Imani went to the Trainer’s table to get worked on, like in the exhibition game. I’m concerned about her health for the season. I noticed during almost any break when Emma was on the floor, she’d go over to the Coach for a discussion. Coach Adams said she was “Curious,” and wanted to keep learning.
NMH went on a run. Aspen hit a 3 and a steal led to a layup by Aniya Johnson. The teams traded turnovers on bad passes. Lucia made a jumper, but Kimora McClure came back with a coast-to-coast layup. Lucia answered with a 3. 33-19 Aggies with 4’ left.
After a bad pass by Iyana, Kimora hit a 3 to get it down to a 10-point Aggie lead with 3’ left. The Aggies took a timeout. Briefly on the video screen, they showed a preseason poll of C-USA Women’s Basketball teams. The Aggies were near the bottom and the graphic quickly disappeared. Imani came back in. Deavion Wilson was in and made a layup and Loes followed that with a layup. 38-26 Aggies with 1’ left. Emma got involved in a held ball tie up that nearly ended in a fight. I don’t think Highlands was happy with Emma’s transfer. It was 38-28 Aggies going into halftime.
Halftime
The Borderland Dance Group of little girl cheerleaders lined up and came down and performed on the court. A multitude of parents had their phones out and were calling down to their daughters. A group of ROTC cadets were introduced after the performance. Along with a group of ROTC from UNM, they had made a 200+ mile relay marathon run to Albuquerque to deliver the gameball to the Aggie/Lobo Football game. They’ve done this every year for the game.
Third Quarter
The crowd was slightly smaller after the little cheerleaders left, but it was still a good crowd. Emma made a jumper to start the quarter after a pair of Aggie misses. Emma smiled and waved to family (?) sitting on the sideline afterward. Cowgirl Adrianna made a steal on Imani. Lots of fouls were getting called. Lucia made a pair of free throws and it was 42-29 Aggies with 7’ left. The Aggies added to the lead with Imani finding Lucia for a layup. 48-31 Aggies.
Twist Cam was activated . . . with music by Cher? Where’s Chubby Checker? It’s hard to twist to Do You Believe in Life After Love? Back to play, Emma took a charge from Hailey Long, giving up 8” in height and likely over 50 lbs. in weight. Emma came up smiling and clapping her hands. In another timeout, Aggie Volleyball was in the Student Section and on Bongo Cam. Rilen Garcia was getting head-patted by her teammates. I didn’t realize they were here.
Loes accidently hit Emma in the face with the ball. Emma was taking some shots tonight. Though I wasn’t hit in the head, I was zoning out a bit and watching the Volleyball team. (I did see Maggie Lightheart in the concourse later and sighed wistfully.) Lucia L. made a shot and a foul shot with it. It was 58-38 Aggies with 10 minutes to go.
Fourth Quarter
Kamalani made a 3 to begin the quarter. Lucia made a rebound and made a basket right back. Hailey made a jumper. Kapiolani and Jessie got steals for Highlands. Keira Hudson, who had started, came back in and played with Emma, though I think they’re both point guards. Keira was fouled and made a couple of free throws. 62-43 Aggies with 7’ left in the game.
Lucia made a bucket and drew the foul and put an elbow into Jesse’s mouth. Jessie came right back with a bucket. Lucia got two more free throws and Jessie was fouled and missed hers. Kapiolani made a block on Kiera and Brynn Hargrove scored. The Highlands’ bench went wild. The Aggies weren’t too disturbed. Emma and Imani were on the bench and chatting and having a good time. After a NMH turnover, the Band piped up and said, “Go play soccer!” It was probably worth going to the game just for that taunt.
Highlands went on a 6-point run with about a minute left. The Aggies took a timeout, though it was 71-53 Aggies. During play, Emma and an assistant coach were yelling at the court. I don’t know what over or even if it was about the same thing. It was very passionate. Kiera got lots of free throw practice and ended up making 6 in the fourth quarter. The Men were waiting in the tunnel now for the game to end. Brynn and Loes traded 3’s before the end. Aggies win 78-61.
Kapolei Antielu led the Cowgirls with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Kimora McClure, Aspen Salazar, and Brynn Hargrove each had 9 points. They shot 32% overall with 30 points in the paint and 25 points off turnovers.
Lucia Yenes had another big game for the Aggie with 23 points. Imani Warren had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and probably a couple of steals which weren’t listed in the stats. Anna Csenyi had 10 points and Roes Rozing had 9 points with 7 rebounds. The Aggies shot 52% overall, 30% on 3’s, and 85% on free throws. They had 52 points in the paint, 25 points on turnovers, and 18 fast break points.
In the game recap, the Coach credited Emma Cristiano with calming down the team when she came in. She also praised Lucia Lara, who had 10 rebounds in the game. I don’t know what this game means for the team for the rest of the season given the level competition they were playing against. They’ve got some potential, especially Lucia. I had no notes after the game. I was hustling out of my prime seat to go to the concessions and to find another seat for the Men’s game to follow.
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