Colts open district play with a narrow 59-56 win over Ruidoso

Left: Short-range two by Vin Diaz as part of his team-high 18 points. Center: PG Kamil Naime led the Colts in assists with four. Right: Easy lay-in by Mihail Parada after a steal/fast-break combo. (NMMI Sports Press photos)
Left: Short-range two by Vin Diaz as part of his team-high 18 points. Center: PG Kamil Naime led the Colts in assists with four. Right: Easy lay-in by Mihail Parada after a steal/fast-break combo. (NMMI Sports Press photos)
Posted: Feb 03, 2026

On Tuesday night New Mexico Military Institute opened district play with a 59-56 win over Ruidoso High School at the Cahoon Armory Gym. With the win the Colts improve to 13-6 overall and 1-0 in district play. The Warriors open district play with a 0-1 record and dip to 11-9 overall.

The Colts opened district play on a 9-2 run behind a seven-point first quarter by Vinicius Diaz who was able to finish some putbacks to give NMMI a quick lead. Mihail Parada scored four points in the period while Tyler Colburn was the third scorer for the Colts in the first eight minutes. Defensively, the Colts held Ruidoso to just eight first-quarter points. Tru Camejo drilled a three-point attempt in the opening quarter as the Colts held a 13-8 advantage after the opening period.

With a five-point lead the Colts found another gear in the second quarter. Mihail Parada dropped seven points in the period with a shot from the tree point line and a pair of free throws. Vinicius Diaz also got involved in the frame as he tallied five points in the second period to help build the lead. For the Warriors, Mason Fikany scored nine points with two three pointers. Brayden McMillian scored the other five points for Ruidoso as they were outscored 17-14 in the second period as the Colts enjoyed a 30-22 lead heading into halftime.

In the third period five different Colts scored as they continued the offensive momentum. Micah Grado and Tyler Colburn scored a three pointer but the Colts were still outscored 19-17 in the period. Mason Fikany had his highest scoring quarter in the third as he tallied 10 points with a pair of threes. Tru Camejo scored nine points in the quarter with a pair of threes to help make it a narrow 47-44 lead for the Colts.

Up by just three points, the Colts used a three pointer by Kamil Naime and Micah Grado to push their advantage. However, the final eight minutes ended with a 12-12 run as NMMI was able to hold on and secure a 59-56 lead and the first district win of the season.

Head Coach Connor Williamson on the win, “It was a gritty win. We had to dig in there at the end and defensively we just had enough tonight, Williamson said. “With 25 turnovers we have to work on that by putting higher emphasis on ball security, cleaner footwork and passing the first time rather than trying to go one on one all the time,” Williamson said. Coach Williamson on Mihail Parada’s double-double, “He was able to play smart there at the end … he’s just got to keep his head, he’s a dominant player when he does that,” Williamson said.

UP NEXT

The Colts return to action on Friday, February 6 as they take on Tularosa High School on the road at 6 p.m.

  • Thu, 05/14 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball vs. East Mountain HS 7 - 10 (3:30 pm MST)
  • Sat, 05/09 | Colt Varsity Baseball Tochatchi HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 3 - 6 (11:00 am MST) RC | PH | V
  • Fri, 05/08 | Baseball vs. Weatherford College L, 10-4 (Final) BX | PH | V
  • Fri, 05/08 | Colt Varsity Baseball Tochatchi HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 1 - 8 (6:00 pm MST) RC | PH
  • Thu, 05/07 | Baseball at Weatherford College L, 5-1 (Final) BX | V
  • Sun, 05/03 | Baseball vs. New Mexico Junior College L, 22-7 (Final - 7 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Sun, 05/03 | Baseball vs. New Mexico Junior College L, 7-3 (Final - 7 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Sat, 05/02 | Baseball vs. New Mexico Junior College W, 13-5 (Final - 7 innings) BX
  • Sat, 05/02 | Baseball vs. New Mexico Junior College W, 6-5 (Final - 7 innings) BX
  • Sat, 05/02 | Colt Varsity Baseball Ruidoso HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 6 - 7 (11:00 am MDT) RC | PH | V
  • Sat, 05/02 | Colt Varsity Baseball Ruidoso HS vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 5 - 6 (1:00 pm MDT) RC | PH | V
  • Mon, 04/27 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at Eunice HS 2 - 3 (6:00 pm MDT)
  • Sat, 04/25 | Baseball vs. Midland College W, 12-10 (Final) BX | PH | V
  • Sat, 04/25 | Baseball vs. Midland College L, 7-4 (Final - 7 innings) BX | V
  • Fri, 04/24 | Baseball vs. Midland College W, 7-6 (Final - 7 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Fri, 04/24 | Baseball vs. Midland College L, 7-5 (Final - 8 innings) RC | BX | PH | V
  • Fri, 04/24 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at East Mountain HS 0 - 5 (4:00 pm MDT)
  • Fri, 04/24 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at East Mountain HS 3 - 8 (2:00 pm MDT)
  • Tue, 04/21 | Colt Varsity Baseball Colt Varsity Baseball at Dexter HS 15 - 2 (5:00 pm MDT)
  • Sat, 04/18 | Baseball at Odessa College W, 7-4 (Final - 11 innings) BX | V
  • Sat, 04/18 | Baseball at Odessa College L, 1-0 (Final - 8 innings) BX | V
  • Sat, 04/18 | Colt Varsity Baseball Sandia Prep vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 6 - 3 (12:00 pm MDT) RC | PH | V
  • Sat, 04/18 | Colt Varsity Baseball Sandia Prep vs. Colt Varsity Baseball 7 - 4 (2:00 pm MST) RC | PH | V
  • Fri, 04/17 | Baseball at Odessa College L, 12-3 (Final - 8 innings) BX | V