Gallup boys finish second to Centennial

ALBUQUERQUE

For many high school basketball programs there is nothing more rewarding than a state title.

In Class 5A, there was no other team in the state that wanted to take home a blue trophy more than the Gallup boy’s basketball team.

If they did, it would have been the program’s very first title and a long time coming for the community of Gallup that has a rich history in girl’s basketball.

No. 2 seeded Gallup didn’t take home the blue trophy as they were defeated, 52-38, by No. 1 Centennial High School of Las Cruces, N.M., in the 5A New Mexico high school state championship game at the University of New Mexico WisePies arena aka ‘The Pit’ on March 14.

They finished their season at 26-3.

And although they came up short, it wasn’t so much about the destination but for the 14-team members it was about the journey they took.

Gallup head coach Domonic Romero said his team knew what they were up against but he reminded them of the bigger picture.

He said he wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

“This is Gallup High School, this is 925 student enrollment taking on a powerhouse like Centennial, these guys are great,” Romero said. “I told them that too. I’ll take that any day of the week; that work ethic, that type of game. Of course there’s always room for improvement; we could have made free throws, we could have made some easy layups, we could have took it down on turnovers, but the fight’s there.”

---