By J.T. Keith

El Rito Media Sports Editor

jtkeith@elritomedia.com

On March 15, 1997, the Artesia Bulldogs boys’ basketball team won its second state championship, defeating Albuquerque Academy 86-83. On March 15, 2025, exactly 28 years later, the Bulldogs will try to win their third state title. How is that for fate?

The No. 2 seeded Bulldogs will take on the No. 8 seeded Highland Hornets in the championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Pit in Albuquerque.

There seemed little doubt the Bulldogs would be title contenders this season until a late-season slide caused much consternation.

Artesia was ranked No. 1 in 4A basketball for six weeks—from December 16, 2024, to January 27, 2025—before being knocked out of the top spot.

There is no doubt about the Bulldogs’ basketball skill or talent—watch the moxie and swagger they display in games. Even when the game is close, the players seem to know it is just a matter of time before they make a play to win.

And so it is when athletes compete in the town proclaimed the “City of Champions.” Winning is nothing new for the players because many have relatives who have won state titles in other sports, primarily football. Artesia has won 32 New Mexico state football championships.

Artesia basketball has its own championship legacy with its 1997 title coming just two years after its first – a victory also sealed with a win over Albuquerque Academy. Former coach Bubba Jennings guided the Bulldogs to both championships.

Going undefeated in district play was on Artesia’s to-do list this year and the only thing the Bulldogs to do to finish 6-0 was beat Goddard in the last district road game of the season on Feb. 21. Goddard spoiled the plan, 45-40.

Four days later, the Bulldogs lost at home to Portales in the opening round of the district playoffs, 58-57.

“One hundred percent, those losses made us understand that we are not as good as we think and must stay hungry,” Artesia coach Michael Mondragon said. “Those losses allowed us to focus on the little things and helped us get to where we are right now.”

The Bulldogs (20-9) will need that hunger when they face the defending state champion Hornets (18-14), who are making their third finals appearance in four years.

After the two straight defeats last month, Mondragon said, the team did not discuss or dwell on the losses. Instead, the Bulldogs went to work and focused on beating the next team in their path: Gallup, Valley, Espanola Valley, and now Highlands.

“We have not won anything yet,” Mondragon said. “It’s a great night, and we are going to enjoy tonight (Thursday) and get back to the chopping board tomorrow morning.

Mondragon will be coaching in his second title game. His first was in 2021, a 52-41 loss to Del Norte.

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