By Jeff Carlton
Tribune Reporter

Jalen Dominguez

Dominguez is quietly having a standout season for the overlooked Bulldogs, who have a chance at third place in District 2-5A if they can beat Santa Fe on the road Friday night. The 6-foot-2 senior is averaging about 20 points, six rebounds and three steals per game for the boys basketball team.

Dominguez was a second-team All-Metro soccer player. He also has the misfortune of being related to The Linz, also known as Tribune sports columnist Richard Stevens. Dominguez is The Great One's nephew.

Trib: How do you and your teammates approach the district tournament?

Dominguez: We are hoping to get home-court advantage in those first two games. We don't want to have to go to Santa Fe. You get to that semifinal game, and on any given night you can win.

Trib: For most of the school year, you have been getting to school early to work on your hoops game. How did that start?

Dominguez: What happened was I broke my hand over the summer. I didn't get to practice. When everyone was working out I had to stand and watch. That killed me, that frustrated me. So I'd usually get there about 6:15 a.m. I made friends with one of the janitors. He has a key and would wait for me and unlock the gym and turn on the lights for me.

Trib: If it's not Albuquerque High, who will win state?

Dominguez: It might be Cibola because of their defense and rebounding. And I think Rio Grande hasn't shown as well as they can play. I think (Rio Grande coach) Ron Garcia will have those guys ready.

Trib: What was it like playing for Jim Hulsman?

Dominguez: I was a little intimidated going in as a sophomore. I heard from players how direct and mean he was. But I really liked him as a coach. He was a nice guy. But my role on the team was different. He wasn't as demanding of me.

Trib: Do you plan to play in college?

Dominguez: I want to find a college where I can play a bit, but I don't want to go to a college that won't give me a great education.

Trib: Is it true that Richard Stevens and his son beat you and a friend in two-on-two basketball a couple of years ago?

Dominguez: Yeah, but we let them win. I didn't want to block my little cousin, so I let him make layups. (Stevens) brings that up a lot.

Trib: Just so this is clear, you and a buddy got beat by a 50-year-old man and his 11-year-old son?

Dominguez: To be fair, we mainly lost to the 11-year-old son. The 50-year-old man didn't do much. He called a lot of weak fouls.

Trib: Do any of the football players at Albuquerque High ever talk to you about The Linz?

Dominguez: I get a lot of heat. They love him until he makes a comment about Albuquerque High. They say, "You better tell your uncle he better watch what he writes." Or they'll ask where he lives so they can go egg his house.

Trib: Favorite movie?

Dominguez: I like "Braveheart" and "Billy Madison."

Trib: "Billy Madison" is terrible. You should be ashamed.

Dominguez: You didn't like "Billy Madison"? How could you not enjoy "Billy Madison"?

Trib: Because I have a brain.

Dominguez: I guess that's fair.

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