NM State Aggies vs NNM Eagles Women’s Basketball 12-20-22 Part 1

This is another late report.  I can only blame Christmas duties.  On that note, I need to start with an out-of-town score first.  Unforgivably, I forgot to note Aggie Volleyball's best win of the year against the UTEP Miners after both their seasons were over.  It was a quirk of scheduling, but both programs really wanted to play each other.  The Aggies had a quick exit from the WAC tournament the week before and were lucky to have gotten in.  The Miners made it to the second of round of the C-USA tournament, but ran into a nationally-ranked team there.

 

For a weekday noon game in El Paso (11-23-22), there was a tremendous crowd of 1,100!  The Aggies weren't intimidated and went out to a 2-0 set lead.  The Miners came back and won the next two, before a close fifth set gave the Aggies a 3-2 win.  It was a tight match throughout. 

 

It was a coming out party for freshman, Ryleigh Whitekettle, who led everyone with 13 kills.  That was encouraging for next season.  Jayde Shelton had 12 kills, and Bianca Perez was back setting and fit right back in.  Next season is going to be very challenging for the Aggies as they join Conference-USA.  There were two nationally-ranked teams in the conference this season.  This game notwithstanding, UTEP was probably also a better program.  Joining a bigger conference, maybe Coach Jordan will be able to recruit better.

 

Okay, back to this day's game.  It was a beautiful day in Las Cruces.  Because it was a noon game for Women's Basketball with Northern New Mexico, I initially wasn't going to take the day off.  But since I had one more vacation day remaining, I decided to use it here.  Ron was glad for something to do to and came with me.

 

We got there at the Pan-Am Center way early as usual.  There were a few other fans present.  We passed by a couple of women with programs who seemed to be taking notes.  I missed my opportunity to ask them the question I'm always asked, “Are you working for the team/newspaper?”  I wonder if they were scouts.

The NNM Eagles had 10 girls listed on their roster, but there were only seven girls in uniform (and one really cute trainer or injured player).  So, they were going to be over-matched as DII team and short-handed.  I found out afterward, that they were also missing their top scorer for the game.  The Aggies, meanwhile, were getting Sylena Peterson back, but seemed to have lost Shania Harper for the game. 

 

There was just under 600 in attendance officially, but it looked more like a couple hundred.  Under the circumstances, any fans were a good showing.  The Cheerleaders, the Sundancers, and Pistol Pete were there, but the Band was gone for the break.  (Pete showed off a tremendous skill for spinning a ball on his finger.)  Before the majority of crowd showed up at tipoff, the girls looked kind of embarrassed performing for mostly empty stands.  

 

The Eagles were on court warming up during the Anthem and came to attention.  The Aggies were back in the locker room.  A girl dance group, The Venom Dancers, moved into the seats right below us.  They were in fedoras, suspenders, and white dress shirts like stylish gangsters. 

 

The Aggies came back out to warmup.  Ashlee Strawbridge, our program covergirl, gave the coach doing commentary for the broadcast a fist bump.  (I don’t know his name.)  Coach Adams came out dressed stylishly, yet casual, in a cream pullover and gray yoga pants.  The opposing coach, Justin Giddens, was near seven-foot tall.  I think he should have inserted himself into the lineup.  That would have made this a really interesting game. 

 

First Quarter

The Eagles scored on their first possession with a running layup.  I found myself applauding, before stopping myself.  It was a natural reaction given the imbalance of the competition.  Taylor Donaldson came right back with a running layup.  The Aggies seemed to be milking the clock a bit on their possessions to perhaps shorten the game.  Ashlee made a jumper on a fast break.  Taylor got a jumper at the buzzer on the next series. 

 

I could easily hear Coach Giddens from the opposite sideline shouting instructions.  He was very much into this game.  At seven minutes left, the Aggies put in five fresh players, including Sylena.  Tayelin Grays scored to make it 8-2 Aggies.  Timeout NNM.  Football Bowl game t-shirts were tossed to the crowd.  The merch kiosk wasn’t open today.  I was going to go look for one.  (A couple of days later, I drove past Sports Accessories and almost stopped.  I’ll wait for the next basketball game and hope for a win by the Football team.)  One of the dancer girls stood on her seat and did a leg lift to get a shirt thrown to her.

 

On court, Ene Adams was having a friendly chat with a ref.  Ene then went over to Coach Adams, who fixed a braid in her hair.  I’m not exactly sure what the issue was, but there is a coach who will take care of her players.  Back to play, Miranda Salazar, one of the shorter girls on court at 5’3” (the Eagles have four such players), hit a three.  She also has long dark hair going down past her waist. 

 

Sabou Gueye made a steal and found Ene under the basket for a bucket.  There were five minutes left, Aggies up 10-5.  A couple of Aggie bench players came in, Lucia Yenes and Sianny Sanchez-Oliver.  The Aggies pressed and got a turnover, however Moe Shida picked up two quick fouls and had to come out.  With four minutes left, the starters were back in.  Coach Adams may have been trying to wear down the short-benched Eagles (though I doubt that was necessary). 

 

Molly Kaiser got a steal, but the Aggies committed their fifth foul to put the Eagles in the bonus.  Ethena Silva put in a three for NNM.  She was the tallest player on their team at 6’.  She also had very long dark hair.  Ruth Sodipe, also on the Eagles, put in a scoop layup.  At this point, I’m noticing other Aggie fans in the crowd applauding them.  Sylena connected with Lucia for a basket at the buzzer.  29-14 Aggies.

 

Second Quarter

The dancer girls left to get ready for their performance.  They put on their dancing shoes and went down to the court.  In play, Tayelin hit a jumper and then got a block.  Again at the seven minute mark, five new players came in.  Eagle Briana Marquez hit a three.  She was one of their short players.  Soufia Inoussa answered with a three.  Molly picked up two quick fouls, but ended up on the floor both times.  Sylena then picked up a foul.  This was all on the same possession by the Eagles. 

 

Soufia was hurt while falling out-of-bounds on a layup by Lucia and had to be helped off.  That was, I’m sure, Coach Adams’ main concern about this game: injuries.  It was 44-19 with under five minutes left during the Media timeout.  A little kid courtside was dancing up a storm during every break with music.  Back to play, Sianny got a steal, but missed the layup after.  Ashlee got a block.  Moe fed Lucia down low for a basket and a foul. 

 

Off court, I could see Soufia getting her ankle taped up.  On court, Lucia got a layup, her ninth point.  Briana hit another three for the Eagles.  Fama Thiam fed Lucia for a jumper.  Ene banked one in off the glass.  Miranda had a steal for the Eagles and just missed a long three at the buzzer.  55-22 Aggies after twenty minutes of play.

 

Part 2