By J.T. Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

A look at the 4A -4 bracket for the 2025 Nusenda Credit Union Girls Basketball State Championships should be enough to make the Artesia Lady Bulldogs mad – maybe even furious enough to come out and knock off the No. 2 seeded Gallup Bengals (26-2 overall, 8-2 district) on Gallup’s home court in a first-round matchup at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Lady Bulldogs have several players returning from the team that went 22-7, won the District 4A -4 title, and lost to St. Pius X 61-41 in the New Mexico Activities Association semifinals last season.

So, yes, Artesia (10-16 overall, 2-4 district 4A-4) should be upset at being the No.15 seed in the tournament. In one year, the Lady Bulldogs did not forget how to play basketball. And they did not forget how to win.

Here are Artesia’s three keys to securing a victory

Artesia’s first-year coach, Candace Pollard, must let her team know this is a business trip. The Lady Bulldogs have played well on the road this season, winning four games. It is a five-hour, 40-minute bus ride to Gallup but the team should envision nothing but success while going into a hostile environment.

“I have been telling our team that winning a big playoff basketball game comes down to execution, composure and preparation,” Pollard said.

Shorten the game

Artesia needs to limit Gallup’s possessions. The Lady Bulldogs must attack the offensive board and score off second-chance opportunities. Artesia must stop Gallup’s running game. If the Lady Bengals get second and third shots, it will be a long game for Artesia.

Artesia cannot run with the Bengals. The Lady Bulldogs must pick their spots to run and attack the glass on both ends of the floor.

“Our defense and rebounding are key,” Pollard said. “We have to lock down their key scorers, contest every shot, and control the boards and limit their second-chance points and fast break opportunities.”

Artesia cannot turn the ball over

The Lady Bulldogs must protect the ball and avoid turnovers to have a chance to win. Gallup wants to speed up the tempo and make Artesia play faster than usual. Gallup uses its defense to generate its offense.

“We have to have great shot selection every time,” Pollard said. “Every single possession matters in this matchup. We have to take high-percentage shots, move the ball, and attack mismatches aggressively on both sides of the ball.”

Keep the score in the 40s

The game at Gallup will be sold out, with standing room only. The fans will be going crazy. Artesia must take the crowd out of the game and keep its composure when the Lady Bengals go on a run. There is a reason Gallup is 26-2 overall and the No.2 seed, but Artesia is Artesia and has played in games as big as this, if not bigger.

“We know that we are walking into a place that loves basketball,” Pollard said. “They will bring everything they’ve got to us. We must play together for four quarters and have each other’s backs. We must be prepared for a dogfight.”

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