Artesia girls' hoops advances to semifinals, eyes second state title in program history

The Artesia High School girls’ basketball team is close to attaining something that has not been done in almost 50 years.

The team advanced to the semifinals of the girls’ 4A state basketball tournament with a 47-39 win over Deming Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

Two more wins and Artesia can claim the state title.

The team won a 3A state title in 1977 with a win over Portales, according to records from the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA).

More: A look at key first-round games in the New Mexico state high school basketball tournament

Artesia, the No. 3 seed, advanced to Thursday’s final four bracket in Albuquerque.

Head coach Jeff Houghtaling said Artesia was happy to accomplish the feat.

Deming puts up fight in contest

The Wildcats pulled off the biggest upset in the opening round of the tournament last weekend.

Deming, a No. 11 seed, downed Albuquerque Academy 56-35 on the road March 8.

The Chargers were the No. 6 seed. Artesia ousted No. 11 Silver High School 61-33 in the opening round.

Artesia struggled during the opening quarter as Deming led 10-7. Artesia took over in the second quarter and led 21-15 at halftime.

Free throws make a difference

Both sides went back-and-forth in the second half and it looked like Deming would pull off another upset.

In the final period, Deming fouled Artesia sophomore guard Kailee Padilla frequently.

The fouls helped Padilla as she scored nine points from the foul line and led Artesia to victory.

“She played good from the foul line,” Houghtaling said. “We took care of the ball good enough (toward the end).”

Artesia’s senior post player Lorin Wagner led all Bulldog scorers with 15 points.

More: Artesia's Beltran and Wagner make quick turnaround from volleyball to basketball

Stay the course with the game plan

Houghtaling does not plan any changes for Thursday’s semifinal game.

“We’re going to stick with what we have been doing. Hopefully, we’ve played well enough,” he said.

This year Artesia is 22-6 overall and claimed the District 4-4A regular season crown and the district postseason tournament title.

In 2023, Artesia defeated Moriarty in the opening round of the state tournament. The team was knocked out of the second round by Albuquerque Hope Christian.

At 8 a.m. Thursday in Albuquerque, Artesia faces No. 2 Albuquerque St. Pius X. The Spartans held off Bloomfield in overtime 40-34.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Artesia girls defeat Deming looking for second hoops title in history