ALAMOSA — Two more schools from the San Luis Valley have qualified for the Class 2A State Tournament Elite 8 which will take place this weekend at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland.

Sanford High School qualified in the boys tournament with a 59-40 win over Merino on Saturday at the SHS gym. The Mustangs got off to a fast start as they led 16-2 at the end of the first quarter. The Rams closed to within 24-12 at halftime, but Sanford increased their lead to 42-20 after the third quarter.

McCray Larsen led the Mustangs in scoring with 17 points. Ben Sittler scored 14 and Trason Gartrell scored 12.

Sanford defeated Haxtun 62-34 on Friday. It will play second-seeded Simla Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

In other Class 2A boys action, Monte Vista lost to Merino 60-57 at Sanford, and Del Norte lost to Denver Christian 57-40 Friday in Ordway.

Del Norte High School advanced the Elite 8 in the girls tournament with a 42-38 win over Simla Saturday at the DNHS gym. No other information was available.

The Lady Tigers defeated West Grand 38-20 on Friday. They will play third-seeded Burlington in the state quarterfinals on Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

In other girls action in Class 2A, Sanford defeated Hayden 49-38 on Friday, and it lost at Burlington 52-32 on Saturday. Center lost to Wiggins 45-18 in Fowler, Monte Vista lost to Wray 54-43 in Julesburg, and Sargent lost at Burlington 57-16.

Class 1A

There will be no SLV team that will compete in the Class 1A Elite 8 this year.

Sierra Grande advanced the furthest in the boys bracket, but it was defeated by Cheyenne Wells 46-35 Saturday at the SGHS gym. The Panthers were victorious over Peetz on Friday by a score of 55-50.

Centennial also played at Sierra Grande on Friday, but it was defeated by Cheyenne Wells 36-33.

Sangre de Cristo lost at Granada 61-27 on Friday.

In the girls bracket, Sangre de Cristo lost to North Park 49-44 at home on Friday. Sierra Grande lost to Kit Carson 64-24 in Springfield on Friday.