Matadors Secure Second Place in District with 59-44 Win Over Demons

Matadors Surge in District 2-5A, Secure Second Place and First-Place Tie

Albuquerque, NM – Tuesday night saw the Sandia Matadors overpower the Santa Fe High Demons 59-44, claiming second place in District 2-5A and creating a three-way tie for first place with the Demons and Albuquerque La Cueva, according to reports.

The Matadors’ victory came despite playing without key sophomore players George Smith, sidelined with a sprained ankle and Gad Harris, who suffered a spiral fracture in his left leg. Despite these absences, Sandia demonstrated a relentless pace that proved too much for Santa Fe High to handle.

“We run every morning, every time we get on the court,” Sandia junior post Mateo Hogan said. “Every drill, we’re doing full speed. It’s what coach Brown emphasizes every day, and we’re buying into what he’s teaching us.”

Head coach Danny Brown has instilled a philosophy of constant motion in his team, a strategy that is yielding results. The Matadors (14-7 4-1 in 2-5A) consistently pushed the tempo, creating opportunities for close-range shots as the Demons struggled to keep up. This was particularly evident in the second half of the game.

Of Sandia’s 12 baskets after halftime, only one was a three-pointer, highlighting their focus on driving to the basket and capitalizing on the Demons’ fatigue.

The Matadors’ pressure and the strong performance of Thomas Adams were instrumental in a more recent February 5, 2025 victory over Santa Fe High, an 83-60 win that initially created the three-way tie for first place. Adams scored 28 points in that game, and Sandia forced 13 second-half turnovers. A 26-9 scoring run in the fourth quarter sealed the win, despite a closer-than-expected contest for much of the game.

“Our guys really do have a high basketball IQ and they’re experienced,” Brown said following the February 5, 2025 game. “Especially Thomas.”

The February 5, 2025 game saw Sandia initially rely on perimeter shooting, with Adams scoring 12 points in the first quarter, but ultimately shifted to utilizing their size, strength, and quickness to wear down Santa Fe High.

In other recent action, the Seguin Matadors secured a 61-51 victory over San Antonio Jefferson on January 30, 2026, improving to 6-6 in district play. Sophomore Noah King led Seguin with 17 points, while senior Abron Acuna added 12. The win pulled Seguin within one game of Jefferson in the District 27-5A standings.

Seguin head coach Guy Nowlin emphasized the team’s strategy to stretch the Jefferson defense and create open shots. “That’s part of our game plan, especially in early offense and transition,” Nowlin said. “We try to put pressure on the defense, create some driving lanes, and get our corner shooters in space so the defense has to pick, and choose.”

However, the Seguin Matadors also recently suffered a 56-42 loss to Pieper, a 2024 district winner. The game, played on an unspecified date, was close in the first half but ultimately resulted in a 14-point defeat for Seguin, bringing their record to 3-3 in district play and 1-2 overall.

Elsewhere, the Sandia Matadors advanced to the 5A level after a 49-46 win over an unnamed opponent. The game came down to the wire, with a crucial play involving a missed catch by an opposing player in the final seconds securing the victory for Sandia.