They just missed out on the Big Dance but the Lobos have been having fun at home while routing their first two opponents in the National Invitation Tournament.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s NIT run heading into Tuesday night’s quarterfinal matchup against Saint Joseph’s.

The guys talk about the lively atmosphere at The Pit and what may lie ahead with the semifinals and finals in Indianapolis.

In the second segment, James shares his experience at the state spirit championships over the weekend. Will and James then chat a bit about prep baseball and other spring sports, which are already off and running.

They just missed out on the Big Dance but the Lobos have been having fun at home while routing their first two opponents in the National Invitation Tournament.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s basketball team&rsquo;s NIT run heading into Tuesday night&rsquo;s quarterfinal matchup against Saint Joseph&rsquo;s.
The guys talk about the lively atmosphere at The Pit and what may lie ahead with the semifinals and finals in Indianapolis.
In the second segment, James shares his experience at the state spirit championships over the weekend. Will and James then chat a bit about prep baseball and other spring sports, which are already off and running.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Will and James discuss the Lobos’ run in the NIT, state spirit and spring sports

The celebratory parade in Las Vegas, N.M., had to be put on a hold for a day when the bus of the Class 3A softball champion West Las Vegas Lady Dons broke down in the hours following their 2-1 victory over Cobre in Friday’s final. The misfortune couldn’t spoil their elation from winning their second title in three years, and the Lady Dons broke out in a karaoke session outside of a restaurant while waiting for a new bus.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, West Las Vegas coach Julie Esquibel said her players are still riding high after capturing another title. She spoke to Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the program’s 73-13 run over the past three years, including a 24-4 record in 2026.

In her second year coaching the Lady Dons, Esquibel said she prioritized building team chemistry. In addition to winning another Class 3A championship, she said it’s moments such as the impromptu karaoke session that her players will remember forever.

The mother of sophomore sensation Malie “Moogie” Satete, who broke the state’s home run record as an eighth-grader, Esquibel also talks about her daughter’s drive, her busy sports schedule and the first time she blasted a home run.

In the second segment, the guys touch briefly on the upcoming season for the Santa Fe Fuego and share some of their most memorable moments from the end of the 2025-26 high school sports season.

The celebratory parade in Las Vegas, N.M., had to be put on a hold for a day when the bus of the Class 3A softball champion West Las Vegas Lady Dons broke down in the hours following their 2-1 victory over Cobre in Friday&rsquo;s final. The misfortune couldn&rsquo;t spoil their elation from winning their second title in three years, and the Lady Dons broke out in a karaoke session outside of a restaurant while waiting for a new bus.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, West Las Vegas coach Julie Esquibel said her players are still riding high after capturing another title. She spoke to&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the program&rsquo;s 73-13 run over the past three years, including a 24-4 record in 2026.
In her second year coaching the Lady Dons, Esquibel said she prioritized building team chemistry. In addition to winning another Class 3A championship, she said it&rsquo;s moments such as the impromptu karaoke session that her players will remember forever.
The mother of sophomore sensation Malie &ldquo;Moogie&rdquo; Satete, who broke the state&rsquo;s home run record as an eighth-grader, Esquibel also talks about her daughter&rsquo;s drive, her busy sports schedule and the first time she blasted a home run.
In the second segment, the guys touch briefly on the upcoming season for the Santa Fe Fuego and share some of their most memorable moments from the end of the 2025-26 high school sports season.

A broken bus, karaoke and a blue trophy: West Las Vegas softball coach reflects on team's title run

It’s the last week of spring sports and much remains to be decided, with state softball, baseball and large school track and field squads competing to lift a blue trophy. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are looking not blue but red, with the smoldering sun melting their brains and crisping their skin as they cover all the action.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will reports from Isotopes Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández is on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He got the chance to speak with Hernández before Wednesday night’s game against the Isotopes and shares what the charismatic fan favorite had to say.

James then gets into the prep action he’s seen this week, starting with slow play at state golf in Elephant Butte. He then covers what he saw Wednesday at state softball, where St. Michael’s and West Las Vegas took the stage.

The guys continued into state baseball, previewing some of the action ahead involving Santa Fe Indian School, St. Mike’s and West Las Vegas.

In the second segment, attention turns to college sports. Will shares his thoughts on University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Eric Olen’s big extension with the Lobos after a successful first year at the helm. Then the guys talk about the turmoil at New Mexico Highlands, which is experiencing a major shake-up with top administrators.

It&rsquo;s the last week of spring sports and much remains to be decided, with state softball, baseball and large school track and field squads competing to lift a blue trophy.&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are looking not blue but red, with the smoldering sun melting their brains and crisping their skin as they cover all the action.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Will reports from Isotopes Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers&rsquo; Kik&eacute; Hern&aacute;ndez is on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He got the chance to speak with Hern&aacute;ndez before Wednesday night&rsquo;s game against the Isotopes and shares what the charismatic fan favorite had to say.
James then gets into the prep action he&rsquo;s seen this week, starting with slow play at state golf in Elephant Butte. He then covers what he saw Wednesday at state softball, where St. Michael&rsquo;s and West Las Vegas took the stage.
The guys continued into state baseball, previewing some of the action ahead involving Santa Fe Indian School, St. Mike&rsquo;s and West Las Vegas.
In the second segment, attention turns to college sports. Will shares his thoughts on University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s basketball coach Eric Olen&rsquo;s big extension with the Lobos after a successful first year at the helm. Then the guys talk about the turmoil at New Mexico Highlands, which is experiencing a major shake-up with top administrators.

Spring sports teams vie for titles, Kiké Hernández visits ABQ and Eric Olen signs an extension

The 2026 season for the Santa Fe Indian School baseball team is history in the making.

The Braves, who finished at the bottom of District 2-3A last year, captured their first-ever district crown in Class 3A on Saturday with a win at West Las Vegas. Now, the determined squad is looking to make some more noise as the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A state tournament.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, SFIS head coach Jude Torres joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Braves’ turnaround and their approach to the postseason.

Torres shares how a focus on sound defense and pitching have propelled the program to new heights. He also talks about how the tight-knit squad plays as a brotherhood, saying “some seasons you can just feel something special, and this season there’s something special with this group.”

In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the upcoming state baseball and softball tournaments. They end by talking a bit about the upheaval at New Mexico Highlands.

The 2026 season for the Santa Fe Indian School baseball team is history in the making.
The Braves, who finished at the bottom of District 2-3A last year, captured their first-ever district crown in Class 3A on Saturday with a win at West Las Vegas. Now, the determined squad is looking to make some more noise as the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A state tournament.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, SFIS head coach Jude Torres joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Braves&rsquo; turnaround and their approach to the postseason.
Torres shares how a focus on sound defense and pitching have propelled the program to new heights. He also talks about how the tight-knit squad plays as a brotherhood, saying &ldquo;some seasons you can just feel something special, and this season there&rsquo;s something special with this group.&rdquo;
In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the upcoming state baseball and softball tournaments. They end by talking a bit about the upheaval at New Mexico Highlands.

Will and James discuss the Lobos’ run in the NIT, state spirit and spring sports

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