Local

Heading into this season, Los Alamos High School hockey coach Kevin Brake said he expected this to be a rebuilding year. And he was completely right. With a young roster, and very little experience on defense, the group has struggled this year and finds itself well behind the leaders in the standings of the New Mexico Interscholastic Ice Hockey League as the season winds down.

Last weekend, in the final games of the season at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink, league leader Cibola invaded and dominated a two-game series, defeating the Hilltoppers 5-1 Friday night and 12-4 Saturday morning.

Cibola has only lost one time in regulation this season, and has a record of 11-1-2. The Cougars have outscored opponents 114-50, and are one of the most aggressive teams in the league.

Friday night, Cibola wasted very little time showing why it has dominated all season.

Six minutes into the first period, Cibola’s Steven Bitzer scored a shorthanded goal, his first goal of the season, to put the Cougars on top 1-0.

Though Jared Carnes scored for the Hilltoppers with just over one minute left in the first period to even the score 1-1, the joy was short-lived.

Finishing up the first round of district contests, the Los Alamos High School girls’ basketball team headed to district-leader Capital High School Tuesday evening, falling 52-36 in a game that was often closer than the score indicated.

On paper, the game appeared to be a mismatch. Capital entered the contest 3-0 in District 2-5A games, while the Hilltoppers came in 0-3 in district play and winless since late December.

Much like LAHS’ last game, against Española Valley, the team fell behind early.

Throughout the first quarter, Capital couldn’t miss, while the Hilltoppers had trouble hanging onto the ball.

The Jaguars connected on seven shots in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers that allowed Capital to jump out to a quick 18-4 lead.

The Hilltoppers’ only points in the quarter came from a pair of layups from Natalie Gallegos and Anna Lemke.

Despite trailing by such a large margin, LAHS came out in the second quarter with a noticeable increase in energy.

One of the big reasons for that was junior guard Alex Calderon, who saw his first action in district play. She immediately sparked the offense from the point guard position, and set the team up for success with her passing and playmaking ability.

Of all the games the Los Alamos High School boys’ basketball team will play this season, there will likely be none tougher than the test the Hilltoppers face tonight in Española.

The Española Valley High School Sundevils are the top-ranked team in Class 5A, and are viewed by many as the top team in the state of New Mexico, regardless of classification.

This week, that stance has only grown stronger. Tuesday night in Española, the Sundevils faced District 2-5A rival, and No. 3 ranked 5A team, Capital High School in what has become one of the best rivalries in the state.

And facing its toughest opponent so far this season, the Sundevils cruised to an 83-65 win. It was so decisive that the stands that were filled to capacity at tipoff were half empty by the middle of the fourth quarter.

Capital, which came into the game giving up fewer than 55 points per game on average, gave up nearly that many in the second half alone.

Española Valley is one of the most well balanced teams in the state, with the ability to defend every player on the floor, and score in a variety of ways.

The Family YMCA will open registration for the Intro to Fencing for Beginners class on Feb 1.

Class begins on March 6 and runs for three months. Class size is limited to 10 each year, so those interested will need to act fast to make sure they secure a spot.

The cost for the three-month program is $120, or $90 for YMCA members.

The beginning class for students (ages 10 or older) with no previous fencing experience meets each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the YMCA gym.

The class will focus on basic footwork and blade skills, in both foil and epee, leading into actual fencing bouts.

The season will finish May 29 with a tournament.

The YMCA provides all necessary equipment.

The YMCA also has a fencing program for those that have completed the beginner course or have other previous fencing experience. Participants may start at the beginning of any month.

The YMCA provides instruction and equipment.

Class meets at the YMCA gym on Tuesdays  from 7-8 p.m.

The monthly cost is $32, or $16 for YMCA members.

Register now at The Family YMCA, located at 1450 Iris St. in Los Alamos, call 662-3100 or go to laymca.org.

For additional information, contact Tom Hill at 672-1058.