Super Saturday: Class 4A/1A Title Game Recaps + Top Performers

CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME   HIGHLAND 71, ARTESIA 62   How it happened: A rebound and fast-break layup gave Highland an early 4-2 lead. Both teams played tenacious defense in the opening minutes. [player_tooltip player_id='2146038' first='Clay' last='Kincaid']'s offensive rebound basket and a layup by Artesia gave the Bulldogs the lead. But Highland drilled a 3-pointer to take the lead at 7-6.  Lenyn French's 3-pointer fired up the Highland crowd and gave the Hornets a 12-10 lead. Highland had the final possession of the 1st quarter but missed a jumper. [player_tooltip player_id='2693635' first='Juan' last='Limas'] scored 7 points in the 1Q for Highland, which didn't commit a single turnover in the opening eight minutes. End 1Q: Highland 12, Artesia 10.   Highland's [player_tooltip player_id='2693635' first='Juan' last='Limas'] opened the scoring in the 2Q with a 3-pointer from the wing, then swished another 3-pointer from the top to give Highland an 18-10 lead, prompting Artesia to call timeout with 6:36 left, 2Q. The Bulldogs snapped Highland's 10-0 run before [player_tooltip player_id='2402829' first='Jerry' last='Moody'] scored for the Hornets. Limas stayed hot for Highland with a pair of baskets to increase Highland's lead to 24-12. Edwin Montelongo joined the scoring party for Highland. Artesia desperately needed a basket and got one. But Highland quickly responded with a triple for a 29-14 lead. [player_tooltip player_id='1717327' first='Braylon' last='Vega'] drained a 3-pointer for Artesia with about 2 minutes left in the first half. French made one of two free throws with 34.5 seconds to give Highland a 36-16 advantage. The Hornets held for the final shot, but it was blocked. Limas led Highland with 14 points in the 1H. Highland shot 53.3 percent (8-15) in the 2nd quarter. The biggest lead for the Hornets was 17 points.   Halftime: Highland 36, Artesia 19.   The 3rd quarter started with Highland nailing a 3-pointer from the corner within the first 30 seconds for a 39-19 lead, its biggest lead of the game. Artesia had pulled within 39-23 when timeout was called with 6:18 left, 3Q. Artesia continued to surge following the timeout with two more baskets before Highland halted the run. The Hornets put together their own 4-0 run to go ahead 43-27. Kincaid, though, ended the brief run with an emphatic dunk in front of the cheering Artesia fans. With the lead down to 12, Nico Sanchez made two free throws for Highland. An Artesia transition basket off a Highland turnover forced the Hornets to call timeout with 2:24 left in the 3Q. Coming out of the timeout, Artesia again scored a layup off a Highland turnover to make it 45-35. Fede Nunez buried a 3-pointer from the wing to stop the run and give Highland a 50-37 lead. Artesia pulled within single digits by the end of the 3rd quarter. Artesia outscored Highland, 22-14, in the third quarter, scoring numerous baskets on layups in transition. Artesia scored 18 points in the paint in the 3rd quarter alone.   End 3Q: Highland 50, Artesia 41.   When Artesia opened the scoring in the 4th quarter with a pair of fast break layups plus a free throw, Highland's lead had suddenly dropped to 4 at 50-46. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2553912' first='Treavon' last='Carter'], though, stepped up for Highland with a 3-pointer and a free throw, to push the lead back to eight at 54-46 when timeout was called with 5:47 left. Carter fearlessly stepped up and drilled another 3-pointer. After an Artesia basket off a scramble, the Hornets swished another triple to go up 60-48. Nunez's driving layup made it 62-48. Artesia called timeout with 4:01 left after scoring a basket. Limas fouled out with 3:50 left. Sanchez's driving layup,  Kincaid's short jumper and Moody's short baseline jumper gave Highland a 66-52 lead. Another driving layup by Highland gave the Hornets a 68-54 lead with 2:14 left. Sanchez sealed Highland's third title in the last 5 years by making two FTs with 1:33 left. The Hornets won their final                        Standout Performers   Fede Nunez, Highland: Led a balanced Highland scoring attack with 17 points, three 3-pointers and 4 rebounds. Unlikely hero [player_tooltip player_id='2553912' first='Treavon' last='Carter'] scored 7 points and had two huge 3-pointers in the contest.   Nico Sanchez, Highland: Scored 16 points and went 7-for-8 from the FT line to help propel the Hornets offense. The extremely quick Sanchez is excellent driving to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='2693635' first='Juan' last='Limas'] had 14 points and 7 rebounds before fouling out.   [player_tooltip player_id='2146038' first='Clay' last='Kincaid'], Artesia: Scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, barely missing a double-double, to lead Artesia.           Key Stats: Two keys to the win for Highland were the Hornets' 3-point shooting (10-of-22)compared to Artesia (2-12) and free throw shooting. Highland made 15-of-18 free throws while Artesia struggled from the FT line, making just 6-of-20 charity tosses. Those numbers offset Artesia's advantage in rebounding (40-33),  points in the paint (46-22) and pints off turnovers (22-13).   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Highland beat Artesia 71-62 to win the Boys Class 4A Title at the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union State Basketball Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/Nusenda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusenda</a> Here are some of the highlights. <a href="https://t.co/vFdgb4nySL">pic.twitter.com/vFdgb4nySL</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2033005265281495137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Highland Head Coach Justin Woody comments on his team's Championship win over Artesia. <a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> <a href="https://t.co/R4tVySR2tN">pic.twitter.com/R4tVySR2tN</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2032967616571273473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to Highland High School, winners of the Boys Class 4A Title at the Nusenda Credit Union State Basketball Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> <a href="https://t.co/qCbvy62Syu">pic.twitter.com/qCbvy62Syu</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2032966160036331703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Final Box Score 4A Boys Championship Artesia v. Highland<a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> <a href="https://t.co/LGDrvoUvam">pic.twitter.com/LGDrvoUvam</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2032964050653716660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2026</a></blockquote>   CLASS 1A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME   FORT SUMNER/HOUSE 66, LOGAN 63   How it happened: Logan scored the first six points before Fort Sumner got on the scoreboard just past the five minute mark of the 1st quarter. [player_tooltip player_id='1717249' first='Hayden' last='Bruhn']'s putback gave Logan a 10-4 lead. Those would be the final points of the first quarter for either team. Logan's defense was outstanding in the first quarter, holding the Fort Sumner/House offense to 2-of-16 from the field.   The first point of the second quarter was finally scored with just over 5-1/2 minutes left on a FT by FS/H's [player_tooltip player_id='2833891' first='Jordan' last='Holland']. His jumper from the foul line and then an off-balance jumper from the right side made it 10-9. Logan's [player_tooltip player_id='1717329' first='Mason' last='Wallin'] scored the Longhorns' first point of the 2nd quarter. Holland responded with a pair of free throws and then a triple from the wing to give FS/H the lead at 14-12 with 3:32 left in the 2Q. Wallin's offensive rebound basket gave Logan a brief 15-14 lead. Holland continued his scorching hot shooting when he was fouled while draining a 3-pointer from the top. He made the FT for a 4-point play, giving FS/H a 20-17 lead when timeout was called with 33 seconds left in the 2Q. [player_tooltip player_id='2833898' first='Tra'von' last='Bonds'] nailed a triple for FS/H for the final points of the first half. The Foxes' offense came to life in the 2nd quarter as they scored 19 points and shot 46.2 percent from the field. [player_tooltip player_id='2833891' first='Jordan' last='Holland'] scored 14 points with a pair of 3-pointers in the 1st half.       Halftime: Fort Sumner/House 23, Logan 17.     Logan began the third quarter with a 3-pointer from the wing and a back-in basket by [player_tooltip player_id='1717329' first='Mason' last='Wallin']. Moments later, a layup tied the score at 24-24. Bonds buried a 3-pointer from the corner to give FS/H a 3-point lead at 27-24. [player_tooltip player_id='1717249' first='Hayden' last='Bruhn']'s driving layup and FT with 4:09 left in 3Q gave Logan the lead back at 28-27. Logan's Rylan Montoya drilled a 3-pointer, but FS/H quickly responded with a basket as the pace of play began to speed up. The Foxes scored to cut the deficit to 33-31 with 3 minutes left in the 3Q. Wallin's putback and a triple by Montoya gave Logan a 38-31 lead as the game continued to be played at a frantic pace. 14-4 run for Logan. Timeout called with 1:36 left, 3Q. Wallin's FT made it a 15-4 run for the Longhorns. The points kept coming from both teams as the 3rd quarter drew to a close. Holland's jumper pulled FS/H within 5 points at the end of the 3Q. Logan scored 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5 percent) in the third quarter to take a five-point lead into the final frame.   End 3Q: Logan 43, FS/H 38.   FS/H tied the score at 43-43 by scoring the first 5 points of the 4th quarter. Holland's driving layup gave the Foxes a 45-43 lead and a 7-0 start to the 4th quarter. Two Logan free throws halted the run. The Longhorns took a 47-45 lead but FS/H grabbed the lead back with a triple, setting up a frantic finish. After a rapid fire back and forth exchange, FS/H took a 54-51 lead on a basket with 4 mins left. Two Logan FTs by Damien Salvador  made it 54-53. FS/H responds with a layup. Dunk by Bruhn. FS/H led 56-55 when Logan gained possession on a tie-up. FS/H led, 56-55, when time-out was called with 2:08 left. FS/H. Back and forth the two teams went. 58-57 FS/H on a layup. Logan misses a 3. FS/H ball with 1:01 left with the Foxes leading, 60-57. FS/H runs the clock down to 37.4 seconds left as Logan committed the 2 fouls they had to give. FS/H misses a layup and then fouls. Montoya to the FT line for Logan. Miss. Good. 60-58 FS/H. Holland to the FT line. Good. Good. FSH leads 62-58. Logan scores on a putback after a couple of misses and calls timeout with 12.6 seconds left. FS/H leads 62-60. Intentional foul called on Logan. 2 FT good with 1.7 seconds left. FS/H leads 64-60. Foul on FS/H on inbounds pass. Logan ball. Offensive foul on Logan with 8.2 seconds left. First FS/H FT good. Timeout with 5.6 seconds left. Logan hits desperation 3 at buzzer, Not enough. Fort Sumner/House wins the 1A title.              Key Stats: Fort Sumner/House's shooting in the fourth quarter was the main story of the game. After making just 14-of-46 shots in the first three quarters, the Foxes picked the best time to find their shooting eye. In the pivotal fourth quarter, FS/H connected on 10-of-13 shots (76.9 percent) from the floor, including both of their 3-point attempts, and made all six of their free throws. Essentially, they took 19 shots and made 16. The Foxes trailed, 43-38, after three quarters before outscoring Logan, 28-20, in the fourth quarter.          Standout Performers:   [player_tooltip player_id='2833891' first='Jordan' last='Holland'], Fort Sumner/House: If they named a Class 1A State Tournament MVP, Holland would be the choice. He scored 31 points, drained 4 3-pointers, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 5 assists and drew 9 fouls while playing all 32 minutes in Saturday's title game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2833898' first='Tra'von' last='Bonds'], Fort Sumner/House: Bonds was the perfect Ed McMahon to Holland's Johnny Carson on Saturday. Bonds scored 21 points and hit three key 3-pointers. He also grabbed 6 rebounds, four offensive. He played all but 28 seconds of the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1717329' first='Mason' last='Wallin']/[player_tooltip player_id='1717249' first='Hayden' last='Bruhn'], Logan: The Longhorns' dynamic duo have been exceptional throughout their careers and Saturday was no different. They combined for 33 points, 25 rebounds (12 offensive) and shot 14-of-26 from the field. Logan will look a lot different next season without this duo. Wallin has signed with New Mexico Highlands to play football.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your 2025-26 Class 1A state champions: Fort Sumner/House Foxes. <a href="https://t.co/DFjToI5vhm">pic.twitter.com/DFjToI5vhm</a>— Prep Hoops New Mexico (@PrepHoops_NM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM/status/2032994730544607292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ft. Sumner/House beat Logan 66-63 to win the Boys Class A Title at the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union State Basketball Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> Here are some of the highlights. <a href="https://t.co/luQQRIa0i1">pic.twitter.com/luQQRIa0i1</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2033005968137834849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fort Sumner/House Head Coach Brad Holland comments on his team's Championship win over Logan. <a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> <a href="https://t.co/eBWJ6w1KOd">pic.twitter.com/eBWJ6w1KOd</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2032996712206553238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Final Box Score A Boys Championship Fort Sumner/House v. Logan<a href="https://twitter.com/nusendacu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nusendacu</a> <a href="https://t.co/lgzINMwifO">pic.twitter.com/lgzINMwifO</a>— NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/2032993350757003664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2026</a></blockquote>

CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME