Thoreau girls searching for new team look

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Dec 7, 2023 | Basketball |

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Thoreau girls basketball team is in the midst of finding a new identity.

The Lady Hawks graduated four seniors off last year’s 19-11 team that made the Class 3A state quarterfinals.

The biggest void the Thoreau team is trying to fill is the loss of all-stater Leah Delgarito, who filled up the stat sheets for Lady Hawks head coach Rachel Becenti.

“Leah is off to college, so this year it’s more of having all the girls take over that leadership role,” Becenti said. “Last year, we were trying to find girls to work around her, and now, I think, everyone is on an even playing field as far as their talent and skill level.”

And while her club still has high aspirations, Becenti said the expectations placed on their shoulders are not as rigid as last season.

“I feel like they’re more comfortable this year,” she said. “With a player like Leah, the expectations were high for all of us, even myself as a coach. Those expectations can be nerve-wracking because a lot of people expected so much from us.

“We still have the same expectations, but not the pressure,” Becenti added.

With four returners, Becenti believes she has the team pieces to make the state playoffs again. The core players include senior Elena Galvan, sophomore Collen Moses-Perry and juniors Mychalyn King and Krischelle Largo.

“We’re a young group,” the Thoreau coach said. “I have three freshmen girls and the rest are underclassmen. We’re definitely going to need these early games to gain some experience.”

Despite having a new look, the Lady Hawks fared well at the West Las Vegas Brian Gallegos Memorial basketball tournament last week as Thoreau took second in the eight-team bracket.

The Becenti-coached team defeated West Las Vegas JV and Clayton in the first two rounds to reach the title game.

In the finals, Thoreau came up short to the West Las Vegas varsity squad by a 43-35 count.

“We’re not quite where we need to be, but we know we’re on the right track,” Becenti said. “It’s really about looking to see where we’re at because I’m still trying to find the right rotation.

“I’m looking to see where we’re most comfortable, and where we’re producing,” she added. “That is something we’re looking at.”

On Tuesday, the Lady Hawks made a second trip to Las Vegas and faced the city’s other school: Robertson. Thoreau dropped to 2-2 overall following its 58-30 loss.

“We’re still very new to this season,” Becenti said. “It’s hard to say a whole lot after a couple of games, but I’m just looking forward to a good season.”

Becenti is hoping to have her team ready for the district season, which starts Jan. 17 against Newcomb. The other members of the seven-team district include Tohatchi, Navajo Prep, Wingate, Crownpoint and Zuni.

“I love our district,” Becenti said. “I mean, the competitiveness that we have makes girls basketball even more fun. We take pride that we come from a tough district like ours.

“I think everyone in the state knows that we’re the toughest district to play in,” Becenti added. “It helps us get prepared for the state tournament.”