Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • D029

SPORTS ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017 SECTION back Magic Johnson returned to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday as an adviser to owner Jeanie Buss, possibly signaling a change in the power structure of the 16-time NBA champion franchise. Johnson, one of the most beloved players in franchise history, will assist Buss all areas of basketball and according to the news release. JUST WONDERING what effort was made by Bob Davie to recruit Samuels the outstanding running back from Los Lunas. I watched the kid play for Los Lunas his entire career and he was outstanding. As the top recruit in New Mexico I wish him well at Michigan.

He comes from an outstanding family and his father is a strict disciplinarian which he should be very proud of. I am saddened to see such a great talent leave our state. Another one gets away! DS, Los Lunas SHOW OF EQUALITY Lady Gaga said she hopes her Super Bowl halftime show will celebrate and the of during a time of national division. performance is for everyone. I want to, more than anything, create a moment that everyone watching will never she said.

BY GEOFF GRAMMER JOURNAL STAFF WRITER told him to stay the course. And, no matter how many roadblocks or detours the sometimes- frustrating learning curve of college basketball presented for University of New Mexico freshman Damien Jefferson, he tried to do just that. Wednesday night in Las Vegas, when needed most by a banged-up Lobos team, missing two starters and a top reserve, Jefferson shined in an 80-77 win over UNLV, posting career highs in points (13), minutes (36), rebounds (nine) and assists (4). felt like I had to step up since Tim (Williams) is out and Dane (Kuiper) is out and (Xavier Adams) is said Jefferson. I talked to Elijah (Brown, the leading scorer), and he said everybody has to step up.

our job. Everybody definitely got to step up with Tim Williams out. an all-league player. like 20 points a UNM was without Williams (stress reaction in his left foot, likely out two to four weeks) and Kuiper (concussion, out at Ready when needed Jefferson comes up big in first Lobo start See JEFFERSON D4 JOHN PRESS UNM freshman Damien Jefferson, center, who has had limited playing time for the Lobos this season, was a key to their win at UNLV. Transfer QB a dual threat for Lobos BY RICK WRIGHT JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Bob Davie has seen his share of dual- threat quarterbacks since he became head football coach at the University of New Mexico in 2012.

Brett Smith. Cody Fajardo. Boise Grant Hedrick. Utah Kent Myers. Jameill Showers all equally adept running or passing the ball.

But, after five years at UNM, Davie has never had a true dual-threat QB of his own. Running quarterbacks (Cole Gautsche, Lamar Jordan) who could throw a bit? Yes. Throwing quarterbacks (B.R. Holbrook, Austin Apodaca) who could run a little? Sure. But never a true dual-threat quarterback in a Lobo uniform.

Now, Davie believes, he has his guy. Cameron Burston, from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, signed a UNM letter of intent on Wednesday. Burston likes to pass, but is comfortable on the run See DAVIE D3 COURTESY OF CAMERON BURSTON Contra Costa College quarterback Cameron Burston threw for 2,151 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for more than 400 yards as a freshman in 2015. BY CHRIS TOMASSON FOR THE JOURNAL OUSTON Only one man has been born and raised in the Albuquerque area and won a Super Bowl ring. Alan Branch, though, said there been much hoopla in his hometown.

After winning a ring with the New England Patriots two years ago, the defensive tackle said been business as usual when he has returned. have been back to Albuquerque but not like I announce it through the papers and they have like a parade or Branch said. go back for graduations or just to visit my parents sometimes or the Branch now has a chance to get a second ring. His Patriots will take on Atlanta on Sunday in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Even with another ring, Branch would trail by two the four titles Albuquerque native Ronnie Lott won for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s.

But the Hall of Fame defensive back left Albuquerque at a young age while Branch grew up in the city and graduated from Cibola High School. Branch did leave New Mexico in 2004 to play in college at Michigan. Perhaps he would have had a parade after winning the Super Bowl two years ago had he instead stayed home to play for the Lobos. Branch, though, said that come close to happening. was actually somewhat considering (the Lobos) until (then coach) Rocky Long came to my house on his way home from practice for my visit and it just seem like he really wanted me said Branch, who now lives in Gilbert, outside Phoenix.

seem like he put too much effort into it, honestly. mom (Valerie) said that I could go to any school I want except the Lobos. For her, it was a big deal to go away from home and become a Branch also figured playing in the ELISE PRESS New England defensive lineman Alan Branch, an Albuquerque native, will try to win his second Super Bowl title Sunday when the Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons in Houston. Sunday Super Bowl LI Falcons vs. Patriots 4:30 p.m., Fox See BRANCH D3 Former Cibola star Alan Branch says it was an to leave New Mexico to attend Michigan Branching out Saturday San Jose State at New Mexico 4 p.m., ROOT Sports, 770 AM, 94.5 FM sportsspeakup SPORTS SPEAK UP! BY T.S.

LAST JOURNAL NORTH SANTA FE A police report, released in response to media requests for information about two players suspended from the Santa Fe High boys basketball team, shows six male students 15 to 17 years old are suspects in a case of possible felony voyeurism. No one has been charged with a crime, a police spokesman said. Santa Fe Public Schools have confirmed that some SFHS boys basketball players will not be completing the season, but have not identified the players. But two players team captain Victor Salcido and Isaiah Andermann, both Departed players among suspects of felony voyeurism See POLICE D5 Investigation centers on six Santa Fe High male students.