Magdalena Steers are gaining experience early in the season

Head Coach Jory Mirabal has been in the game for a long time. This is his 19th year as head coach for basketball and his 34th year of coaching. All of this coaching experience has been right there at Magdalena. 

Mirabal is also the Athletic Director for Magdalena Schools, so he is involved with all the teams in all the sports. His many years working in education and coaching show his dedication to the youth of Magdalena.

“I enjoy working with the kids.” Mirabal said of what he enjoys most about coaching.

The Steers had seven seniors on last year’s squad. Having that many players move on after graduating left a lot of spaces for this year’s younger players to step up into. They try hard and have plenty of skills, but they just need more playing time on the court.

“Their willingness to work hard.” Mirabal said of his team’s strength. As far as their weakness, he simply said, “We’re inexperienced.”

Mirabal and the Steers are focusing on one day at a time, one practice at a time and then one game at a time to make the improvements they need as individual players and as a team. 

“We are trying to take every game in and of itself and improve.” Mirabal said.

Brothers Ky and Kanaan Stephens lead the team in scoring so far this season, with 8.0 points per game and 7.3, respectively. The 6’5” Ky Stephens also leads the team with 10.6 rebounds per game and a total of 13 blocks. Shane Montoya has 21 assists and 27 steals this season, currently leading the Steers in those categories. For shooting percentage leaders, Montoya shoots 63% at the free throw line, EJ Lucero is at 38% for field goals and Nathan Bruton shoots a solid 29% behind the arc. See complete stats here: https://www.maxpreps.com/nm/magdalena/magdalena-steers/basketball/stats/

The Steers are currently 4-7. They played against and lost to the powerhouse Fort Sumner/House team on Jan. 1. Then they bounced back beat Ramah 59-20 at home on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The Steers were 25-6 overall last season and first place in Class A District 2 at 7-1. They won two state playoff games last year before a loss to Logan ended their run. Given the many changes to the roster from last season to this one, the Steers are not trying to compare themselves with last year’s team though.

“We are comparing ourselves to ourselves.” Mirabal said.

Roster:

#1 EJ Lucero, junior; #2 Prescott Herrera, freshman; #3 Matthew Lopez, senior; #4 Nathan Bruton, sophomore; #5 Paul Chavez-Lopez, sophomore; #11 Daymen Castagnetto, freshman; #13 Shane Montoya, senior; #20 JW Hunter, freshman; #21 Kaanan Stephens, sophomore; #22 Zeb Apachito, junior; #23 Michael Young, senior; #24 Ky Stephens, senior; #30 Noah Guerro, senior; #31 Rishawd Piasso, sophomore; #42 Israel Molina, sophomore.

Assistant Coach Tyrell Daniels; Assistant Coach Fran Ganadonegro; Assistant Coach Chris Backstrom.

January schedule:

1/01 JV, V girls & boys 11 a.m. at home versus Ft. Sumner, 2 gyms. 

1/03 JV, V girls 1 & 2:30 p.m. at Tularosa.

1/03 JH (A&B) girls 10 & 11 a.m. at home versus Hot Springs.

1/03 JH (A&B) boys 10 & 11 a.m. at Hot Springs.

1/05 JV girls & boys 4 & 5:30 p.m. at home versus Alamo. 

1/06 JV, V girls & boys 4 p.m. at home versus Ramah, 2 gyms.

1/07 JH (A&B) boys 5 & 6 p.m. at home versus Socorro.

1/07 JH (A&B) girls 5 & 6 p.m. at Socorro.

1/08 JH (A) girls & boys 4 & 5 p.m. at Alamo.

1/08-10 V girls & boys at Jal Tournament.

1/13 JV, V girls & boys 4 p.m. at Capitan, 2 gyms.

1/14 JH (A) girls & boys 4 & 5 p.m. at home versus Alamo. 

1/16 JH (B) girls & boys 3 & 4 p.m. at home versus Jemez. 

1/19 JH (A&B) girls & boys 4 & 5 p.m. at Capitan, 2 gyms. 

1/19 JV girls & boys 5 & 6:30 p.m. at home versus Socorro.

1/20 JV, V boys 4 & 5:30 p.m. at Tularosa.

1/21 JH (B) girls & boys, JV Girls 4 p.m. at Mountainair.

1/22 JH (A), V girls & boys 4 p.m. at home versus Animas, 2 gyms.

1/23 JH (B) girls & boys 3 & 4 p.m. at Jemez. 

1/24 V girls & boys 12 & 1:30 p.m. at Cliff.

1/26 JH (A&B) girls 5 & 6 p.m. at home versus Socorro. 

1/26 JH (A&B) boys 5 & 6 p.m. at Socorro.

1/27 JH (A&B) girls & boys 3 p.m. at home versus Capitan. 

1/29 JH (A), JV, V girls & boys 3 p.m. at home versus Quemado, 2 gyms. 

1/30 JV, V girls & boys 4 p.m. at home versus Hatch, 2 gyms: Homecoming.

1/31 JH (A&B) girls & boys: Magdalena JH Tournament.