Local Girls Hoops Wrap: Lordsburg Claims District 3-2A Title Over Mescalero Apache; Dexter Edges Tularosa in 4-3A Championship Thriller

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (February 28, 2026) — The 2025-26 high school girls basketball season came to a hard-fought close for two Otero County-area programs Friday night as district tournament championship games were decided in the Tularosa Basin region.

In the District 3-2A Tournament final at Lordsburg, the host Mavericks pulled away late to defeat the Mescalero Apache Lady Chiefs 56-46, claiming the district crown. The Lady Chiefs — who had already punched their ticket to the state tournament as a top district finisher — put forth a gritty effort in their final game of the year.

Kaylyn Chino led Mescalero Apache with a game-high 13 points. Elizabeth Rocha added 12, Taylynn Ahidley chipped in 9, and Bridgette Blake scored 8 in the loss. The Lady Chiefs finished the season at 12-16 overall (6-2 in district play), capping a campaign that saw them battle tough competition while showcasing the pride of the Mescalero Apache community on the hardwood.

Earlier in the tournament, Mescalero had defeated Capitan 56-31, with Chino pouring in 17 points in that semifinal victory.

Across the region in the District 4-3A Tournament Championship at Dexter, the host Demons defeated the Tularosa Lady Cats 45-39 in a tightly contested battle. Tularosa kept the game within striking distance throughout but could not overcome Dexter’s balanced attack and home-court advantage.

The Lady Cats wrapped up their season with a solid 16-12 overall record (3-3 in district), marking another successful year for the program and earning them a berth in the upcoming NMAA State Tournament. Tularosa had split earlier district matchups with Dexter but showed marked improvement and resilience all season long.

Both championship games highlighted the competitive balance in their respective classifications heading into the state playoffs, which begin March 6, 2026. Lordsburg (18-7 overall, 8-0 district) and Dexter (20-5 overall, 6-0 district) advance as district champions with strong momentum.

“These two programs represented our area well all season and gave everything they had in the finals,”  noted local fitness coach and sports analyst Rene Sepulveda. “From the Lady Chiefs’ fight to the Lady Cats’ consistency, it was a great showing for Basin basketball.”

The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) will release full state tournament brackets and schedules in the coming days.

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