By J.T. Keith

El Rito Media Sports Editor

jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Artesia boys’ basketball coach Michael Mondragon is about as relaxed as a souped-up race car idling before the start of a race. Even when trying to relax, he is a bundle of nerves and energy.

The No.2-seeded Bulldogs took their cue from Mondragon and with energy to spare dismantled third-seeded Espanola Valley 72-51 in Thursday’s semifinals of the 4A state tournament at The Pit in Albuquerque.

Artesia (20-9) will face the No.8 seed Highland Hornets (18-14) in the state championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday, which happens to be the 28th anniversary of the Bulldogs’ second of two state championships. They won both titles, in 1995 and 1997, under former coach Bubba Jennings.

The game will mark the second time Mondragon’s team will play for the championship in his 11-year coaching career at Artesia. The Bulldogs also reached the title game during the 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The matchup with Highland will be a who-wants-it-more game, strictly a battle of wills. It will be two dogs chasing one bone — and who will fight harder for the prize?

Here are Artesia’s three keys to New Mexico 4A supremacy.

Kincaid must play big in the middle

Maybe for the first time this season, Artesia’s 6-foot-8 junior center Clay Kincaid will face another talented 6-foot-8 big man in Highland’s Jerry Moody. Moody, a sophomore, scored 14 points in the Hornets’ 66-37 semifinal victory over Albuquerque Academy. Kincaid must stay out of foul trouble in this game.

He picked up three fouls and had to sit against Espanola Valley. Kincaid’s value beyond scoring is his ability to block shots inside and limit opponents to one shot. He blocked four shots against the Sundevils and altered several others, setting the game’s tone.

Artesia will have to match the athleticism of Highland

Look no further than Jesus Licon, who is a force on offense. He can beat teams off the dribble and pull up from 3-point land. In the Hornets’ quarterfinal game against St. Pius X, Licon scored 35 points. Albuquerque Academy double-teamed him in the semifinal game and held him to eight points.

The Hornets also have guard Owen Cheng, who can score from anywhere on the court. Look for Juan Limas to get it going from the 3-point line.

Artesia will need the length and athleticism of Charlie Campbell, Braylon Vega, Trent Egeland, Jack Byers and Corbyn Dominguez to shut down the Highland players.

Artesia mirrors Highland’s intensity

It sounds simple, but this game comes down to basics. If Artesia can rebound, play defense, and take care of the basketball, then all the Bulldogs have to do is want to win more than Highland does.

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.