LCHS on a mission to return to state title game in boys hoops

Whether you calling it taking care of unfinished business or getting revenge, the Las Cruces High School boys basketball team is on a mission.

The Bulldawgs are having another successful season but they want to wash away the bitterness from last year.

Las Cruces High won the state 5A championship in 2020 just as the pandemic was taking hold and returned to the state title game last year only to lose to Cleveland High of Rio Rancho.

“Yeah, of course, we never want to feel like that again, losing in the final,” said Las Cruces senior Kaden Self. “So we just have to stay focused. We have been staying focused all year. We just have to keep that way.”

The Bulldawgs are 26-0, ranked No. 2 in the state by MaxPreps and have won their fifth straight District 3-5A title. This week, they will play in the district tournament with an automatic bid to the state playoffs on the line. Xxxx insert details

“The goal is to always be competitive,” said Bulldawg coach William Benjamin, who played college basketball at New Mexico State University from 1989-92. “We have been on an amazing run the past six years. The goal is to just try to get better and see where that can take us.”

The goal is a return trip to the state championship game and this time finish with a W.

But Benjamin knows there are no guarantees.

“It is not a seven-game series,” Benjamin said. “It is just one game. Anybody can take you out in one game. We have to get better, prepare and stay focused.”

The Bulldawgs know firsthand that a successful season can end in heartbreak. In 2019, they were 28-0 but lost to crosstown Organ Mountain in the opening round of the state playoffs.

Players and coaches say they adhere to the Bulldawg Way – doing things the right way, staying focused and holding each other accountable.

“It’s the focus and mentality of the group,” said Isaiah Carr, a 6-11 senior who has signed with Grand Canyon University. “From the very beginning, we have talked about being focused and having the hard mindset of taking care of business.”

William “Deuce” Benjamin, a senior and the coach’s son, said the team has a special feel to it.

“We always hang out with each other off the court,” said “Deuce” Benjamin, who was the Gatorade Player of the Year for New Mexico in 2021. “It shows on the court too, cause we have so much chemistry.”

Deuce said this year is all about gaining revenge, getting back to The Pit in Albuquerque and this time finishing with a win in the state title game.