PLAYERS & COACHES ARE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY
Unfortunately, there weren’t any fans in the building for the remaining days of the 2020 State Basketball Championships, but ten high school basketball programs earned state championships and the teams are thankful they had the opportunity to participate.
“We thank New Mexico for let us play, we can’t imagine what would happen if they didn’t let us play the tournament,” said Melrose girls basketball coach Caleb King.
“It means a lot,” said Las Cruces head coach William Benjamin. “It means we had an opportunity to do this (win a state title). They put the kids first and let the kids finish this thing out. We really appreciate them doing it. It means a lot.”
“I just want to thank the NMAA because I know a lot of other states are calling off their whole tournaments and I cannot imagine what it would feel like for this group to do all the work that we’ve done and not be able to play,” said Melrose boys basketball coach Kevin Lackey.
This is an ever-changing, unprecedented situation we are in and the decisions made are difficult, but the response from the coaches and student athletes was overwhelmingly appreciative. The NMAA would like to say thank you for allowing the kids to participate and compete in the 2020 State Basketball Championships. We are involved in education-based athletics with the kids as our primary concern.
On behalf of the New Mexico Activities Association, it’s member schools and the student athletes of New Mexico, we would like to say to the Governor’s office and the Public Education Department… thank you.
