Hanks gave South Grand Prairie all they could handle Friday night in the 5A boys Sweet 16 but the Knights came up just short of the upset of the #3 team in the State falling 56-53.

Head Coach Manny Flores and his Hanks team lead the Warriors at halftime 29-26 and stuck close throughout the game thanks in part to 6 three pointers and 20 points from sophomore Christian Velasquez who lead all scorers. But 15 points from UTEP signee Chris Washburn, brother of Miner freshman Julian, was enough to advance South Grand Prairie to the Regional Final.

5A Boys Regional Semi-Final

South Grand Prairie def. Hanks, 56-53

New Mexico 5A Girls Playoffs

Mayfield def. Rio Rancho, 52-27

Cleveland def. Las Cruces, 46-42

Hobbs def. Oñate, 48-43

New Mexico 5A Boys Playoffs

Rio Rancho @ Las Cruces, Sat. 7pm

Mayfield @ Eldorado, Sat. 5:30pm

Oñate @ Albuquerque, Sat. 7pm