NMAA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL: ST. MICHAEL’S TAKES THE 3A TITLE

ST. MICHAEL’S STRIKES BACK

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#1 ST. MICHAEL’S (70) #10 ROBERTSON (57)
March 14, 2026 – UNM’s The Pit, Albuquerque, NM

ALBUQUERQUE — The No. 1 St. Michael’s Horsemen captured the NMAA Class 3A boys state championship with a hard-fought 70–56 victory over the No. 10 Robertson Cardinals, avenging last year’s title-game loss and finishing their season on top.

St. Michael’s set the tone early, racing out to a 22–13 lead after the first quarter with efficient offense and strong interior play. The pace slowed in the second period as both defenses tightened, with each team scoring eight points, sending the Horsemen into halftime ahead. Dillan McCoy had 12 points at the break, while Kamal Stith added 11, as St. Michael’s built advantages with 18 points in the paint and 12 second-chance points.

Robertson responded after halftime, mounting a comeback effort with a 21–18 edge in the third quarter to pull back within striking distance. The Cardinals stayed competitive into the fourth, applying pressure on both ends before a pair of untimely technical fouls in the final minute halted their momentum. St. Michael’s capitalized down the stretch, outscoring Robertson 22–15 in the final period to secure the championship.

Stith led all scorers with 28 points, while McCoy contributed 20 points and six rebounds. Ryan Hunt added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, providing key interior presence. Robertson was paced by Michael Marr, who recorded 16 points and six assists, and Nathan Gonzales, who posted 15 points and 13 rebounds in a strong all-around performance.

Head coach Dakota Montoya emphasized the team’s motivation after last season’s defeat, saying, “We had a motto to finish what we started last year, and we finished.” He also credited Robertson’s effort, noting, “They are a storied program, and they gave us a game today.” With the win, St. Michael’s claims the 2026 Class 3A state title, completing a redemption arc and reaffirming its place among New Mexico’s elite programs.