Gallup Bengals look to repeat girls basketball state championship run

GALLUP, N.M. – Gallup Bengals are off to a strong start in their bid to repeat their 2020-21 girls’ basketball state championship run.

The championship run was their first in over a decade. With most of the players returning this season, they are in a prime position to repeat their run.

According to head coach Todd McBroom, the team looked good in the off-season as a large number of players came out to practice.

"I told the kids every night, ‘You have to show up, you gotta play because any night, anybody can win,’ so we’re happy with what we did last year but we are looking to try and do it again," McBroom said.

Because they’re the reigning state champions, the team believes they have a target on their backs as the team to beat this year and to get to the finals again. Many of the veterans believe it is important they share their experience with the new kids.

"We’ve always fought back-and-forth with our hearts out and, at the end of the day, it’s all about the team," senior Michaela McCurtain said. "It’s all about team effort if everyone’s on the same page."

The Gallup fan base will also be on the same page again this season as crowds are allowed back in the stands again. They will get to see the Bengals work toward an attempt at making history.

"This would be the first time in Gallup girls’ basketball if you can go back-to-back so they are excited to try and do that.

The Bengals girls are 6-1 to start the season, including a sweep of the four-game John Lomasney Invitational Tournament, Dec. 2-4.

The Bengals face rivals Grants Pirates in Grants, Dec. 14.