Melrose tops Logan in 1A quarterfinals

BERNALILLO — Senior guard Tristan Sena had 26 points, and the Melrose Buffaloes punched their ticket to the Class 1A semifinals Wednesday with a 77-69 victory over Logan at Bernalillo High School.

Devon Bailey added 21 and Dylan Valentine 10 for the Buffaloes (23-7), who move on to a 4:45 p.m. Thursday semifinal against top-seeded Quemado at the Santa Ana Star Center.

Although two players combined for just over 60 percent of the Buffalo points, Melrose coach Kevin Lackey liked that the team had key contributions, with three in double figures and the team three points away from having two more in double figures — Trace Jackson with nine and Tate Sorgen eight.

“We had good balance,” Lackey said. “We had some foul trouble. Tate Sorgen is usually our key guy inside, and he got some early fouls. Some other kids stepped up tonight. Devon was an animal.”

Lackey credited a 26-of-37 effort at the free-throw line in helping Melrose hold off Logan (21-8), which shot a higher percentage but fewer chances at 11-of-15.

The Longhorns had three in double figures, led by Dyson Day’s 30 points.

“They gave us fits,” Lackey said. “We did everything we could to shut down Day. He’s just impossible to stay in front of. The biggest thing is we scored all game long. We’ll sometimes have dry spells where we won’t score for three minutes or so. Scoring in the 70s is something that’s big for us.”