Farmington Scorpions Surge Past Albuquerque High Bulldogs 54-37

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>HOBBS, N.M. — </em>In a spirited Class 5A showdown at Tasker Arena during the second round of the Hobbs Holiday Tournament on Tuesday, December 30, the Farmington Scorpions showcased their energy and depth to pull away from the Albuquerque High Bulldogs, securing a convincing 54-37 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering the contest, the Scorpions averaged 55.1 points per game under head coach Thomas Adair, while the Bulldogs, coached by Teri Morrison, averaged a nearly identical 55.0 points per contest. This non-district, in-season tournament clash proved to be a defensive battle early, but Farmington's relentless hustle and transition play ultimately tipped the scales.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Scorpions jumped out to a strong start after winning the tip, displaying superior energy throughout. They beat the Bulldogs to loose balls, capitalized on fast breaks, drained timely catch-and-shoot threes, and aggressively attacked the driving lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams leaned on man-to-man defenses — the Scorpions disrupted passing lanes and denied second-chance opportunities, while the Bulldogs countered with similar intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington closed the first quarter on a dominant 10-2 run to lead 13-7. They carried that momentum into halftime with a 22-14 advantage, before extending it to 35-23 after three quarters. The Scorpions maintained control in the final frame to seal the 17-point win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='648195' first='Kjani' last='Anitielu'] electrified the crowd with a game-high 19 points, scoring efficiently at all three levels with her slick footwork and silky jumper. Fellow guard [player_tooltip player_id='893565' first='Chenoa' last='Parrish'] added 13 points, excelling in playmaking and finishing around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Bulldogs, senior center [player_tooltip player_id='648197' first='Savannah' last='Combs'] battled valiantly inside, posting a team-high 16 points with several strong post moves and shot blocks. Freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1356317' first='Abrielle' last='Pavia'], despite foul trouble, contributed 11 points as the primary creator, knocking down shots from multiple spots on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Scorpions' balanced attack and defensive tenacity proved too much, advancing them deeper into the tournament while highlighting their status as a top contender in New Mexico girls basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->