ALAMOSA – The Hot Shots had a 37-23 halftime lead in the 39^th Annual Arby’s All-Star Game Friday at Adams State University’s Plachy Hall gym. However, the Top Shots rallied in the second half and came back to record a 54-53 win.

Monte Vista’s Azariah Hurtado scored the first points of the game for the Top Shots, however, Sanford’s Trason Gartrell and Centennial’s Zach Jacquez both hit 3-point baskets for a 6-2 Hot Shots lead.

Sierra Grande’s Rolando Najaera close the deficit to 6-4, but Sierra Grande’s Jadyn Martinez made a layup, and Jacquez scored four straight points for a 12-4 advantage.

Sangre de Cristo’s Deagon Rogers scored five in a row, but Alamosa’s Josh Gonzalez scored in the paint. Rogers scored again to reduce the Hot Shots’ lead to 14-11.

Monte Vista’s Domyon Naranjo scored a layup, and Del Norte’s Noah Bailey scored five consecutive points for a 21-11 Hot Shots lead.

Alamosa’s Kinston Wilcox ended the run, but Sanford’s Ben Faucette made a three. Del Norte’s Damon Ledford-Vigil drained a trey, but Sangre de Cristo’s Kolby Shellabarger made a layup. Sanford’s Cahl Larsen made a 3-pointer, but Ben Faucette buried his second three.

Sierra Grande’s Carlos Lopez made a layup for the Top Shots, but Martinez, Gartrell, and Monte Vista’s Kelby Mondragon all scored for as 35-21 lead.

Najera scored for the Top Shots, but Bailey scored in the final seconds for a 37-23 lead.

Naranjo and Center’s Ruben Rendon extended the Hot Shots’ lead to 42-23. But Alamosa’s Jaidyn Burciaga, and Ledford-Vigil both scored two points, and Najera four to cut the deficit to 42-31.

Jacquez drained a three for the Hot Shots, but Lopez scored again. Bailey made a layup for a 47-32 advantage.

Wilcox scored five points, and Sanford’s Colter Canty two to bring the Top Shots within 47-40. Lopez and Ledford-Vigil both scored four points, and Centauri’s Carson Shawcroft two for a 50-47 Top Shots lead. Gartrell brought the Hot Shots within 50-49, but Rogers scored again for a 52-49 lead.

Gartrell made another layup, and Alamosa’s Victor Zepeda also drove to the basket to give the Hot Shots a 53-52 lead with 1:42 left in the game. Najera hit a short jumper with 11 seconds remaining.

The Hot Shots set up for a winning basket, but a 3-point attempt was off the rim.

Najera led the Top Shots in scoring with 10 points. Jacquez led the Hot Shots also with 10.

Slam dunk contest

The slam dunk contest occurred at halftime of the boys game with Hurtado winning the championship.

Top Shots 54, Hot Shots 53

Hot Shots – Zepeda (Alamosa) 1 0-0 2, Jacquez (Centennial) 4 0-2 10, Maestas (Centauri) 0 0-0 0, Mondragon (Monte Vista) 1 0-0 2, Jarvies (Centauri) 0 0-0 0, Naranjo (Monte Vista) 2 0-0 5, Shellabarger (Sangre de Cristo) 1 0-0 2, B. Faucette (Sanford) 2 0-0 6, Fontenot (Moffat) 0 0-0 0, Martinez (Sierra Grande) 2 0-0 4, Gonzalez (Alamosa) 1 0-0 2, Bailey (Del Norte) 4 0-0 9, Gartrell (Sanford) 4 0-0 9, Rendon (Center) 1 0-0 2, T. Canty (Sanford) 0 0-0 0. Total 23 0-2 7.

3-point goals – B. Faucette 2, Bailey 1, Gartrell 1, Jacquez 1, Naranjo 1, Zepeda 1. Total 7.

Top Shots – Shawcroft (Centauri) 1 0-0 2, Burciaga (Alamosa) 1 0-0 2, Fries (Moffat) 0 0-0 0, Hurtado (Monte Vista) 1 0-0 2, Najera (Sierra Grande) 5 0-0 10, Rogers (Sangre de Cristo 4 0-0 9, Lopez (Sierra Grande) 4 0-0 8, Guaderrama (Center) 0 0-0 0, C. Canty (Sanford) 1 0-0 2), Duran (Centennial) 0 0-0 0, Heinrich (Creede) 0 0-0 0, Wilcox (Alamosa) 3 0-0 7, J. Faucette (Sanford) 0 0-0 0, Ledford-Vigil (Del Norte) 4 0-0 9, Larsen (Sanford) 1 0-0 3. Total 25 0-0 54.

3-point goals – Larsen 1, Ledford-Vigil 1, Rogers 1, Wilcox 1. Total 4.

Halftime score Hot Shots 37, Top Shots 23. Fouls – Hot Shots 0, Top Shots 2.