Melrose hosts all-star tilts

MELROSE - Melrose seniors Logan DeVaney and Johanna Roybal had one final chance to play on their home court on Saturday, and as all-stars no less.

DeVaney played for the Class 1-3A boys' Red squad and scored 16 points to help his team post a 109-90 victory over the Green team. Roybal, meantime, had two points as her Green contingent notched a 78-71 win over Red.

The games were sponsored by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association.

Both players totally enjoyed the experience.

"It was a blast," Roybal said. "It was a little nerve-racking, but it was so much fun."

Roybal, who missed more than a month of her senior campaign when she sustained torn ligaments in her right ankle during a game in early December, got her only basket with just under six minutes left when she converted from the lane off a turnover by Red. That tied the score 65-65, and Green eventually finished the contest on a 13-4 run.

"We finally got some shots up," said Roybal, whose side overcame a 10-point deficit early in the second half. "I think we were all a little nervous."

Roybal played with a brace on her injured ankle.

"It's not 100 percent (healed), but it's getting better," she said.

Las Vegas Robertson's Jayden Jenkins led three Green players in double digits with 17 points. The Red squad was paced by Tularosa's Haylee Hill with 18 points.

The boys clash was an up-and-down track meet for the most part, and DeVaney was right in there with everyone else. He scored a game-best 13 points in the first half, which ended with Red in front 51-46.

The contest seesawed most of the way, but with the score tied 90-90 the Red unit finished it out on a 19-0 run over the final 4 1/2 minutes.

"It's just fun times," DeVaney said. "It's an all-star game and everyone's got their (role). Mine is mainly to rebound and play defense."

The teams combined for 22 3-point baskets, including 13 by Green. Robertson's Mathew Gonzales put up four 3s and a game-high 30 points in a losing effort.

Meantime, Santa Fe Prep post Finn Coles paced five Red members in double figures with 24 points, including two 3-pointers and a couple of dunks.

Class 4-5A girls - At Santa Fe H.S., the Portales Lady Rams had three players participating in the girls contest, and on different teams.

Red, with PHS guard Taris Rippee, posted an 85-76 victory over a Green squad which included 6-foot post Kylyie Paden and guard Teagan Faust.

Rippee finished with four points and six assists for Red, which was led by 12 points from Highland's Deniece Ryan.

Meantime, Paden shared Green scoring honors with Volcano Vista's Natalia Chavez, each with 12 points, and she also grabbed seven rebounds. Faust finished with four points.