Santa Fe Indian girls unseat Navajo Prep for 3A state crown

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Mar 13, 2026 | Basketball |

ALBUQUERQUE

Friday’s showcase between the top girls programs in New Mexico Class 3A was nothing short of a high-stakes thriller.

In a game filled with twists and turns, the second-seeded Santa Fe Indian School Lady Braves outlasted No. 1 Navajo Prep 43-35 before a capacity crowd inside The Pit on the University of New Mexico campus.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Santa Fe Indian School junior point guard Aaliyah Valencia (3) advances the ball during Friday’s New Mexico Class 3A girls state title game against the Navajo Prep Lady Eagles. Valencia helped SFIS to a 43-35 win.

“Our journey is something that we’ve manifested, it’s been something that we’ve talking about constantly every day,” said Santa Fe Indian School coach Khadijha Jackson, whose team improved to 26-6 overall. “Just reminding them how good of a team they are. These 12 girl have heart all season. I know there were tough times, but us coming together, being that close bonded team and using everybody to whatever we can get out of them.

“They all stepped up in their own ways and I’m really proud of them,” she added.

The game was much closer than the final score indicated, featuring three lead changes and five ties. The Eagles took their last lead at 32-29 with 5:31 left in regulation on a 3-pointer by senior guard Kamrya Goldtooth.

The Braves, however, closed the physical contest on a 14-3 run to earn Jackson her first state title as a coach. Jackson, who previously coached at Crownpoint High, took over the Santa Fe Indian program three years ago.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie<br>
Navajo Prep freshman guard Dejahnelle Dennetso makes a bounce pass to a teammate during the New Mexico Class 3A girls state title game on Friday afternoon in Albuquerque.

“The fourth quarter was just digging deep,” Jackson said. “We’re always talking about giving four quarters. This game we didn’t really give a first quarter, so we decided we had to make that up in the fourth quarter.”

Santa Fe Indian was led by senior Kaydence Riley, who also lettered in cross-country last fall. The SFIS forward recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“It’s great that I get to win with a group,” Riley said. “You know, in cross country I didn’t really have a team. It was just me out there, but I wanted something that I could share the feeling with, you know, getting that medal and putting it over your head.

“That is what I really wanted for a team,” she added. “These group of girls are my sisters and I’m glad that we won it together.”

Ten players saw action for SFIS, with seven scoring. Senior Brittany Whitney and sophomore Toni Riley added nine and eight points, respectively.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Navajo Prep Lady Eagle Nataya Serrano puts up a two-point basket against the Santa Fe Indian School Lady Braves in the New Mexico Class 3A girls state title game on Friday afternoon in Albuquerque.

For Navajo Prep, senior Kameron Dale led the Eagles with 12 points, while senior Kamyra Goldtooth added nine.

“We knew that it was going to be a tough physical game going in,” Navajo Prep coach Rainy Crisp said. “I asked my girls a lot. You know, they’re a little bit banged up going into this game and to have them come in and play the way they did it definitely made me proud to be their coach.”

As the two-time defending state champion, Dale said the Eagles handled the pressure well, especially after graduating seven seniors from last year’s squad.

“The pressure was there and I’m glad that we fought through it together as a team,” Dale said. “Since we have a new squad, there’s a lot of girls that filled the shoes from last year. They were really good at it, and they played their hearts out.”

The Eagles finished the season 26-4 and will graduate Dale and Goldtooth in the spring.

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