Kirtland Central girls lock up the second seed with win

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Feb 19, 2015 | Basketball |

KIRTLAND, N.M.

Wingate High School’s Dellena Payton (10) makes her way through traffic in the paint as Kirtland Central High School players try to defend her. The Lady Broncos defeated the Lady Bears 65-37 in a District 1-4A game. (Times photo – Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi)

When the Kirtland Central Lady Broncos lost their star player to a season-ending injury, everything was in the air.

Would they be able to compete within their district? Who would step up for the team? Those were the few questions the team and their head coach Lindsay DeVries asked themselves.

Now, with only one game left before the district playoffs, they’re the second best team to beat in District 1-4A.

The Broncos sealed their second seed position, just behind Shiprock High School, when they picked up another win over district rivals Wingate High School 65-37 on Feb. 13th.

The Broncos wasted no time getting the numbers on the board and taking advantage of Wingate’s weakened roster.

DeVries said she was able to play all for her seniors during senior night and had a number of players take on key roles.

“We got everybody in tonight,” she said. “The first couple of games without Orquidea (Reyes) was really hard, people were trying to find their spot and where they’re supposed to be and are they supposed to be a leader, are they not.”