5A and 1A Final Four: Blowouts and Clutch Battles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest stages delivered massive moments in the 2026 Final Four. From lockdown defenses to breakout stars, these games set up epic championship showdowns. Recap from March 12!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 5A – UNM The Pit (Thursday, March 12)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Hobbs 66, No. 4 Albuquerque High 38</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A gritty, physical battle turned dominant as the Eagles pulled away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q1: Eagles 7-6</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Halftime: Eagles 20-10</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q3: Eagles 44-28</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Final: 66-38</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hobbs' depth and intensity overwhelmed. [player_tooltip player_id='831119' first='Matysen' last='Zepeda'] (21 points, 7/14 FG, 6/6 FT, 6 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='583274' first='Kacelynn' last='Muniez'] (14 points, 4/5 3PT), and Xoey Ross (13 points) combined for 48 points and 14 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Team edges: paint points (24-12), second-chance (18-5), bench (11-3). Defense was elite—held Bulldogs to 21.2% FG (11/52) and 10.5% from three (2/19).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 Rio Rancho 62, No. 10 Volcano Vista 45</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams' Big 3 took over in a solid win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q1: Rams 15-7</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Halftime: Rams 29-26</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q3: Rams 49-33</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Final: 62-45</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='839457' first='Madilynn' last='Martinez'], [player_tooltip player_id='831120' first='Daysia' last='Jack'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1068445' first='Larissa' last='Martinez'] combined for 47 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, and 9 steals under Coach Mabrey. Rio Rancho ruled the paint, 28-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 1A – Rio Rancho Events Center (Thursday, March 12)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 3 Roy/Mosquero 32, No. 2 Cliff 28</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A low-scoring defensive war came down to the wire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q1: Blue 10-4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Halftime: Tied 16-16</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q3: Blue 23-22</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Final: 32-28</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1058902' first='Tayla' last='Proffitt'] (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) and Dylan Clavel (10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) delivered 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 steals combined to edge out the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 1 Logan 52, No. 5 To'hajiilee 33</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns turned up the heat in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q1: Longhorns 17-11</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Halftime: Longhorns 29-20</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Q3: Longhorns 47-22 (outscored 18-2 in third)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Final: 52-33</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='893556' first='Desta' last='Rose']'s two-way brilliance led the charge: game-high 27 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Pressure defense sealed the dominant win over the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->