Trinidad Miners and Hoehne Lady Farmers Claim Invitational Titles
The 89th annual Trinidad State College Invitational concluded December 6 and 7 at Scott Gym, with the Trinidad Miners defeating Raton 62 to 50 for the boys championship and the Hoehne Lady Farmers taking the girls title 34 to 26 over Kim and Branson. The weekend featured tightly contested finals, late game runs, all tournament recognitions, and a community gathering that highlights the role of school sports in rural Las Animas County.
Trinidad State College hosted its long running holiday tournament over the weekend, bringing area teams and families together for two days of competitive high school basketball. In the boys final the Trinidad Miners overcame a tight game with a decisive late fourth quarter run to finish 62 to 50 over Raton. The girls championship saw the Hoehne Lady Farmers prevail 34 to 26 over a combined Kim and Branson squad in a low scoring matchup that emphasized defense and disciplined possessions.
Tournament organizers named all tournament teams and handed out most valuable player honors and coach recognitions for both brackets. Those selections reflected standout performances across small towns in the region and underscored strong coaching and player development at multiple programs. Photographs from the finals captured packed stands, energetic sideline support and celebratory scenes that highlighted the social importance of school athletics in this part of the state.
For players, families and coaches, the Invitational offers more than scores. It provides an early season measuring stick, regional exposure and game experience against neighboring schools that often face similar resource constraints. For the wider community the event served as a gathering that supports youth wellbeing, local identity and intergenerational connections. The sustained tradition of 89 years also serves as a reminder of how school sports can anchor rural civic life.
At the same time the tournament highlights persistent equity issues for athletics in rural districts. Travel logistics, limited budgets for coaching staff and athletic trainers, and uneven access to sports medicine can affect athlete safety and competitive opportunities. Local policymakers and school leaders may consider this event as an occasion to evaluate funding priorities, transportation assistance and medical staffing for extracurricular programs so that young athletes across Las Animas County can compete safely and equitably.
As the regular season begins, teams will build on lessons from the Invitational. For communities watching, the weekend reinforced familiar pride while pointing to practical steps to support health, opportunity and fair competition for student athletes across the county.
