Lady Timberwolves Push Win Streak to 16; Set Sights on Historic District Title

February 15, 2026

ALBUQUERQUE – The East Mountain Lady Timberwolves just keep winning basketball games as they keep rewriting the school’s history books one quarter at a time.

On Saturday, East Mountain (19-5) extended its school-record winning streak to 16 games (second in state) with a commanding 58-30 road victory over the NACAECA (CO-OP) Lady Eagles. The win sets the stage for what is being called the biggest game in the program’s history this coming Tuesday.

Dominance from the Jump

The Lady Timberwolves wasted no time asserting their dominance, stifling the Lady Eagles’ offense from the opening tip. By the end of the first quarter, East Mountain held a 19-6 lead, a gap that widened to 30-11 by halftime.

The third quarter proved to be the knockout blow, as East Mountain’s defense surrendered only five points, entering the final frame with a 46-16 cushion. While NACAECA (6-16) managed to find some rhythm against East Mountain’s reserves in the closing minutes, the outcome was never in doubt.

Hushman and Kannolt Lead the Charge

The offensive effort was headlined by a powerhouse performance from Kate Hushman, who led all scorers with 23 points. Evelyn Kannolt was equally lethal, contributing 18 points to the tally. Emee Naylor also reached double digits with 10 points, providing the interior presence necessary to keep the Lady Eagles at bay.

East Mountain Box Score:

Kate Hushman: 23 pts
Evelyn Kannolt: 18 pts
Emee Naylor: 10 pts
Madilynn Puccini: 3 pts
Addison Springall: 2 pts
Maya Cheney: 2 pts

A Birthday Milestone for Coach Drake

The victory tasted even sweeter for head coach Ron Drake, who celebrated his 75th birthday on the sidelines. Reflecting on the win, Drake noted that his teams have a knack for showing up on his big day.

“I don’t think we ever lost on my birthday,” Drake said with a smile. “The girls stepped up.”

Despite missing Genesis Navarro-Chavez and navigating some late-game growing pains with his junior varsity rotations, Drake was pleased with the overall execution. “The first three quarters, I thought it was pretty good,” he remarked.

The “Biggest Game in History” Looms

The focus now shifts immediately to Tuesday night. East Mountain welcomes Cottonwood Classical Prep (13-12) for a matchup with massive stakes: a win would secure East Mountain its first-ever District title.

Coach Drake is fully aware of the gravity of the moment. “This next game is undoubtedly the biggest game in the history of East Mountain girls high school basketball,” Drake admitted. “We got to win this game because I don’t know about Cuba [the next road game]. Cuba is a rough place… we got to try to win this one here.”

The Lady Timberwolves previously beat Cottonwood 42-37, but Drake warned his team against complacency. “Last time we beat them, they didn’t have their two best players… they’ll be back. We have to play our game, play good defense, and rebound.”

📅 Game Info

Opponent: Cottonwood Classical Prep
When: Tuesday, Feb 17th @ 6:30 PM
Where: Vista Grande Community Center
What’s at Stake: First-ever District Championship and the final regular-season home game.