Sandia claims 5A girls state title
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For the first time in five years, the state champion of girls 5A basketball is not Hobbs or Volcano Vista. The Matadors of Sandia High School earned this year’s honor by taking down the Hawks 49-45 in the state title game on Saturday.
2024 state basketball tournament brackets
The game featured six lead changes and nine ties. The Hawks led as much as ten in the third quarter, however the Matadors were able to mount a fourth quarter comeback by outscoring VV 23-13 over the final eight minutes.
While it was an off night for Sandia in terms of shooting (the Matadors finished 29% from the field and 1-24 from three), the Gatorade New Mexico player of the year, Sydney Benally, still found plenty of ways to score. Benally finished with a tournament-high 35 points.
The win marks the 5th title in program history for Sandia. The Matadors finish the season with a 28-3 overall record.
