Artesia's Beltran and Wagner make quick turnaround from volleyball to basketball
Artesia High School Lady Bulldog basketball players Kymber Beltran and Lorin Wagner had little time to prepare for Tuesday’s season opener against Santa Teresa.
The nearly 10-day turnaround time from volleyball to basketball didn't hurt the duo as Artesia downed the Lady Desert Warriors 59-30 at the Bulldog Pit.
Beltran and Wagner participated in the 4A state volleyball tournament in Rio Rancho Nov. 16 through Nov. 18.
Beltran, a 5-foot-5 senior guard and post player, and Wagner, a 6-foot senior post, can now focus on a different hardwood sport for the next few months.
Beltran said Nov. 27 was the first full practice for all Lady Bulldog basketball players, including those who transferred from the volleyball team to the basketball team.
“(It’s a) completely different dynamic, there’s differences like team chemistry that you need,” she said.
Wagner said she and Beltran are getting used to different circumstances with the change in sports.
“It’s a little tough because we’re going from different kinds of conditioning from jumping and reactions to sprinting and pivoting,” she said.
More: Artesia High School teacher finds time to teach, coach and preach
Beltran outlines goals for season
Kymber could be taking up the mantle for her older sister Koda Beltran, who graduated this past May and is playing college basketball at Sul Ross State in Alpine, Texas.
Last season the Beltran sisters guided Artesia to a 19-9 overall record and 6-0 record in District 4-4A.
The Lady Bulldogs made it to the state playoffs last season and were defeated by Hope Christian from Albuquerque in the second round.
More: Artesia's Koda Beltran continues basketball play with Sul Ross State University
Kymber said she wants to get better during each game during her final season in an Artesia uniform.
“And leaving a mark for the younger girls is something I strive to do,” she said. “Leave them a lesson they can take from.”
One athlete glad Beltran and Wagner are back
Abigail Hauschild is the third senior on this year’s Lady Bulldog squad.
Unlike her two fellow senior teammates, she did not play volleyball and was glad to see Beltran and Wagner’s return for the season opener.
“It’s really great,” she said of their coming back.
“We need everybody as a team, it was harder over the offseason. We only had nine girls maybe (during early practices), it’s just great to have them back,” she added.
What's next for the Lady Bulldogs?
At 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Bulldog Pit, Artesia returns to action against Deming in the opening round of the City of Champions Classic.
Carlsbad, El Paso Riverside, Alamogordo, Roswell-Goddard and El Paso Bel Air are the other teams playing in the three-day tournament.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Artesia Lady Bulldog basketball players transition from volleyball
