NMAA Basketball: Joe Armijo Classic Champions Crowned

Matadors and Trojans Take Joe Armijo Classic

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GIRLS – SANDIA (47) LAS CRUCES (35)

BOYS – MAYFIELD (57) CENTENNIAL (55)
December 13, 2025 – ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY, Albuquerque, NM

The Joe Armijo Classic hosted by Albuquerque Academy wrapped up on Saturday evening with two great match ups. The girls championship featured Sandia and Las Cruces while the boys had two southern teams, Mayfield and Centennial.

After a full day of basketball games, the Matadors and Bulldawgs took the floor to determine the girls champion. Las Cruces started off hot, jumping out to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Sandia, led by sophomore Kaiyah Benally, went on a run of their own in the second to close the gap. At the half, the score was tied at 19.

The third quarter was neck and neck with the Matadors scoring 3 more points than the Bulldawgs. Sandia kept the pressure up throughout the final quarter enabling them to pull away in what had been a close and competitive game throughout. The Matadors scored 17 while limiting Las Cruces to just 8 in the fourth to make the final score 47-35, Sandia.

Benally had a game high of 19 points while shooting 83% from the stripe. Senior Chloe Brown tacked on 7 points and provided suffocating defense through the 32 minutes played.

The boys championship was a tight one. Mayfield and Centennial exchanged scoring runs throughout the game. Neither team could hold the lead for very long when they got it.

In the final moments of the game, both teams had opportunity to try to win the game. Mayfield ended up scoring the game winning points when senior Corey Patterson beat his defender down the lane and laid the ball in for the go ahead score with just under three seconds remaining. Centennial’s last second heave didn’t find the net, making the final score 57-55, Mayfield.