BRONCOS BUCK HUSKIES OUT OF STATE FINALS
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#1 KIRTLAND CENTRAL (SCORE) #4 HOPE CHRISTIAN (SCORE)
March 12, 2026 – UNM’s The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
ALBUQUERQUE — Top-seeded Kirtland Central broke open a tight game after the first quarter and rolled to a 61–38 victory over No. 4 Hope Christian in the NMAA Class 4A girls state semifinal, earning a spot in the championship game.
The Huskies came out aggressive and matched the Broncos possession for possession early, finishing the opening period tied at 11–11. Hope Christian’s defensive energy and rebounding helped keep the game level, but Kirtland Central began to assert control in the second quarter, using ball movement and transition scoring to build momentum.
From that point on, the Broncos steadily widened the gap. Kirtland Central’s balanced offense proved decisive, with four players reaching double figures. Elaina Clani and Allyson Tsosie led the way with 13 points each, while Haylee Nocki added 12 and Zoey Benally chipped in 10, showcasing the depth that has fueled the Broncos’ dominant postseason run.
Hope Christian was paced by Abrianna Bishop, who delivered a strong individual performance with 18 points and eight rebounds, battling inside to keep the Huskies competitive. Despite her efforts, Kirtland Central’s defensive pressure and efficient scoring runs in the middle quarters ultimately put the game out of reach.
With the win, Kirtland Central advances to face district rival Gallup in the Class 4A state championship. The familiar foes have already met three times this season, with the Broncos winning both regular-season district matchups before Gallup captured the district tournament title — setting the stage for a decisive fourth meeting with a state crown on the line.
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