Class 1A capsules

Girls

Quarterfinals

No. 6 Fort Sumner vs. No. 3 Hagerman

When: 5 p.m. today.

Where: Rio Rancho High School

Records: Fort Sumner 18-8, Hagerman 24-4.

How they got here: Fort Sumner beat Temple Baptist 58-29. Hagerman beat Carrizozo 75-47.

Last state title: Fort Sumner won the Class 1A title in 2005. Hagerman has never won a state title.

Lowdown on Fort Sumner: No. 6 seed Fort Sumner is making its third trip to Albuquerque in four years — winning it all in 2005. First-year coach Joel Wood said any team in any sport must be built around a solid defense.

The District 3-1A tournament champion Vixens are giving up 33 points a game. They score 39.

Wood said the pressure is not on Fort Sumner to win.

“(Hagerman) comes into the game heavily favored and with more to lose than us,” Wood said. “I don’t feel like the monkey’s on our backs.”

Fort Sumner’s leading scorer is senior Alex Owens with 7.4 points per game, followed by four others with averages of six points per game.

Lowdown on Hagerman: Wood said the Vixens will have to stifle No. 3 seeded Hagerman’s run-and-gun offense.

Wood said the Vixens will focus on Hagerman’s backcourt duo of seniors Tori Bullock and Krystle Peralta.

“We don’t have anybody who (an opposing team) can say to go get them,” he said. “I guess you could say we’re more balanced.”

No. 4 Elida vs. No. 5 Magdalena

When: 3:15 p.m. today.

Where: Rio Rancho High School

Records: Elida 22-4; Magdalena 21-6

How they got here: Elida beat Tohajiilee 75-49. Magdalena beat Animus 52-40.

Last state title: Elida last won the Class 1A state crown in 1995. Magdalena has never won a state title.

Lowdown on Elida: In spite of his team’s youth, Elida coach Dan Howard feels his players know and understand their role.

The Tigers sport three upperclassmen, with the rest of the team comprised of sophomores, freshmen and two eighth-graders.

“We have to try to not look too scared in the opening round,” Howard said. “We’re a young team, and you really never know how you’re going to come out.”

Lowdown on Magdalena: Howard characterized Magdalena as an extremely quick team that will try to run.

Still, Howard said his squad’s depth has been its strongest attribute all season.

“They’re ready to fire coming off the bench,” Howard said of his bench. “We have 12 girls who can fill in at anytime.”

— CNJ staff writer Greg Price