Just finishing watching the end of the Fort Sumner-Springer championship, which was truly one of the most exciting finishes this year. With the Foxes leading 67-64 and just 4.1 seconds left, Jesus Urquijo brought the ball down for a desperation 3-pointer. He was fouled as the buzzer sounded, leaving him with one of the most difficult moments a basketball player can face.
It might be the most difficult task for a player – hitting free throw that have the fate of your team in your hands.
Urquijo stepped up to the line and calmly swished the first one.
Then he rattled in the second.
Then he walked four paces away from the line, then back. He exhaled, dribbled and shot.
The ball skimmed the top of the rim and rolled out.
All five Red Devils player hit the floor as the Foxes celebrated their A championship.
Worse, Urquijo laid on The Pit floor and cried. His teammate, Johnny Chavez, came over to console him. Then, as the players lined up for the post-game handshake, he stayed on the bench for as long as he could before getting up to shake hands.
In the open area that leads to the hallway where Springer stayed had the Red Devils shuffling to their bus. Urquijo, a senior, was still red-eyed and empty. Brady Wagner was the last player out of the locker room and he was sobbing uncontrollably.
It's one of the saddest and most heart wrenching moments to watch, much less live.
It's the kind of thing that makes you want to grab those kids and tell them how much you admire their effort, their heart and their courage, because few things hurt as bad as this.
The good thing is that it is just a game, and the players will rebound and recover. At least you hope.
But when you give that much to something you love and cherish, it's hard when you come this close to the summit. And for Chavez, Urquijo and the Springer seniors, it's a moment they can't erase. At least, not at the high school level.
I hope they come to realize how fleeting these opportunities are, and to cherish the chance they had to play before their fans and community in one of the greatest places to play in the world.
Only two teams every year from every class get that blessing.
It's something to feel honored to do. And in five, 10 or 15 years, they can look back and realize how special that moment was.
I know the seconds and minutes after their game will live with me, because it's then you're hit with the reality of life – that we all come up short sometimes.
But the better person is the one who can get up after a hard knock and keep going.
Mar 14, 2009
Class AAA chamionship: No. 2 St. Michael's vs. No. 1 Hope Christian
Both sides have brought a pretty sizable crowd, and the attendance is about 7,000 for the game. Unfortunately some people in the St. Michael's crowd lack decorum when it comes to the national anthem. A couple of women from the student section either were heckling the Ruidoso singers or heckling somebody, and it made for an uncomfortable situation.
The starting lineups being announced and the game is about to start.
First quarter
Hope Christian has forced five turnovers already, and it has employed a box-and-1 on St. Michael's Jordan Romero. It couldn't stop him from opening the scoring for the Horsemen with a wing 3.
Hope jumped out to a 9-5 lead, but Justin Smith hits a free throw and Romero hits two to get within one.
The quarter ends ominously, however. Hope post Jimmy Williams gets an offensive board and putback at the buzzer.
Hope Christian 11, St. Michael's 8
Second quarter
The Huskies are beginning to assert itself on the offensive glass. They have five offensive rebound and theyy are turning them into second-chance points. But they haven't solved the puzzle that is Jordan Romero. He's scored seven points in the quarter, including a nice, step-back 17-footer that got St. Michael's to within 17-16 at 3:27.
Hope, however, gets a jumper from Christian Schlenker and a putback from Matt Murphy, the son of head coach Jim Murphy.
Romero then misses two free throws - his first misses from the line since the Pojoaque game - at 1:13. The Huskies misses a couple of short-range shots and the half ends.
Hope Christian 21, St. Michael's 18
Third quarter
The Horsemen have ratcheted the defensive intensity. Only an Arren Wells jumper has prevented the Huskies form going scoreless through the half-way point. The rest of the Horsemen have stepped up as well. Buckets from Smith, Elijah Garcia and Gabe Ortiz give St. Michael's the edge, 24-23.
After Murphy calls a timeout, the Huskies start to battle back. And they are doing it on the offensive glass. wells gets a putback, then Schlenker makes good on a third chance. Horsemen head coach Ron Geyer calls a timeout.
Hope Christian 27, St. Michael's 24
Five turnovers occur over the next 2 minutes, but then Jeremy Romero, who had just had his shot blocked by Schlenker, goes at the 6-4 post and scores the layup plus earns the foul.
He completes the three-point play, then Garcia hits a 16-footer to tie the score at 29. Romero, who went scoreless this quarter, misses a 45-footer at the buzzer.
Hope Christian 29, St. Michael's 29
Fourth quarter
Jordan Romero awakens to start the quarter. He hits a putback and then two free throws to give St. Michael's a 33-31 lead. Schlenker comes back with a layup, but fails to convert the three-point play.
Timeout, Horsemen.
Tied at 33.
A pretty pass from Romero to Garcia is converted into a reverse layup, but the Huckies answer with a Wells layup. Romero jacks up a 3 and misses, Schlenker gets a layup. Then Garcia tries to get the ball back to Jordan on the inbound, but he;s not looking and it goes out. Wells gets a basket. Ortiz misses and the Huskies rebound. Timeout, Hope
41-35, Huskies. Less than 4 minutes are left.
Schlenker gets another layup – the Horsemen can't stop the posts – and it's 43-35 with 3:04 to go.
Finally, the Horsemen score - Michael Yardman-Frank hits a 3, but Schlenker hits again. Jordan nails another 3 for 45-41, but the bigs for Hope are unstoppable. Wells gets fouled on a layup, and hits one of two. Schelnker it fouled on a rebound, but misses the one-and-one.
But whatever hopes for a Horsemen upset are thwarted when Matt Murphy gets a steal. Matt Excajada gets a layup and it is 48-41.
Another miss leads to Jordan fouling, and he collects his fifth and is done. He had four in the fourth alone.
Wells hits two free throws, but Diego Ulibarri nails a 3 with :26.4 to go.
50-44, Hope Christian.
Matt Murphy is fouled, and hits one of two. 51-44
Antonio Garcia misses a corner 3, Wells grabs the board and Ulibarri fouls.
wells hits two.
53-44, 15.4 to go.
Tristan Perry gets a steal and is fouled.
His two free throws are the last points of the night.
Hope Christian finally gets its AAA title.
Huskies 55, Horsemen 44.
St. Michael's finishes 23-8, while Hope Christian wins its 21st straight game and go undefeated against AAA competition.
The starting lineups being announced and the game is about to start.
First quarter
Hope Christian has forced five turnovers already, and it has employed a box-and-1 on St. Michael's Jordan Romero. It couldn't stop him from opening the scoring for the Horsemen with a wing 3.
Hope jumped out to a 9-5 lead, but Justin Smith hits a free throw and Romero hits two to get within one.
The quarter ends ominously, however. Hope post Jimmy Williams gets an offensive board and putback at the buzzer.
Hope Christian 11, St. Michael's 8
Second quarter
The Huskies are beginning to assert itself on the offensive glass. They have five offensive rebound and theyy are turning them into second-chance points. But they haven't solved the puzzle that is Jordan Romero. He's scored seven points in the quarter, including a nice, step-back 17-footer that got St. Michael's to within 17-16 at 3:27.
Hope, however, gets a jumper from Christian Schlenker and a putback from Matt Murphy, the son of head coach Jim Murphy.
Romero then misses two free throws - his first misses from the line since the Pojoaque game - at 1:13. The Huskies misses a couple of short-range shots and the half ends.
Hope Christian 21, St. Michael's 18
Third quarter
The Horsemen have ratcheted the defensive intensity. Only an Arren Wells jumper has prevented the Huskies form going scoreless through the half-way point. The rest of the Horsemen have stepped up as well. Buckets from Smith, Elijah Garcia and Gabe Ortiz give St. Michael's the edge, 24-23.
After Murphy calls a timeout, the Huskies start to battle back. And they are doing it on the offensive glass. wells gets a putback, then Schlenker makes good on a third chance. Horsemen head coach Ron Geyer calls a timeout.
Hope Christian 27, St. Michael's 24
Five turnovers occur over the next 2 minutes, but then Jeremy Romero, who had just had his shot blocked by Schlenker, goes at the 6-4 post and scores the layup plus earns the foul.
He completes the three-point play, then Garcia hits a 16-footer to tie the score at 29. Romero, who went scoreless this quarter, misses a 45-footer at the buzzer.
Hope Christian 29, St. Michael's 29
Fourth quarter
Jordan Romero awakens to start the quarter. He hits a putback and then two free throws to give St. Michael's a 33-31 lead. Schlenker comes back with a layup, but fails to convert the three-point play.
Timeout, Horsemen.
Tied at 33.
A pretty pass from Romero to Garcia is converted into a reverse layup, but the Huckies answer with a Wells layup. Romero jacks up a 3 and misses, Schlenker gets a layup. Then Garcia tries to get the ball back to Jordan on the inbound, but he;s not looking and it goes out. Wells gets a basket. Ortiz misses and the Huskies rebound. Timeout, Hope
41-35, Huskies. Less than 4 minutes are left.
Schlenker gets another layup – the Horsemen can't stop the posts – and it's 43-35 with 3:04 to go.
Finally, the Horsemen score - Michael Yardman-Frank hits a 3, but Schlenker hits again. Jordan nails another 3 for 45-41, but the bigs for Hope are unstoppable. Wells gets fouled on a layup, and hits one of two. Schelnker it fouled on a rebound, but misses the one-and-one.
But whatever hopes for a Horsemen upset are thwarted when Matt Murphy gets a steal. Matt Excajada gets a layup and it is 48-41.
Another miss leads to Jordan fouling, and he collects his fifth and is done. He had four in the fourth alone.
Wells hits two free throws, but Diego Ulibarri nails a 3 with :26.4 to go.
50-44, Hope Christian.
Matt Murphy is fouled, and hits one of two. 51-44
Antonio Garcia misses a corner 3, Wells grabs the board and Ulibarri fouls.
wells hits two.
53-44, 15.4 to go.
Tristan Perry gets a steal and is fouled.
His two free throws are the last points of the night.
Hope Christian finally gets its AAA title.
Huskies 55, Horsemen 44.
St. Michael's finishes 23-8, while Hope Christian wins its 21st straight game and go undefeated against AAA competition.
Mar 13, 2009
Class AAA championship
The Pojoaque Elkettes ended their quest for perfection with a 44-38 win over Portales to win the Class AAA state title for the second straight year.
Jackie Bartleson scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Pojoaque. Janelle Roybal added 10 points as Pojoaque took a 22-17 lead after the half, then outscored the Rams 12-3 in the third quarter for a 34-20 lead.
Portales scrambled late in the fourth to get to within 44-38, but a Dionna Montoya bucket off an Ellen Cruz no-look pass settled the matter, for all intents and purposes.
Pojoaque finishes the season 31-0 and is the third girls team this decade to post a perfect record.
Check Saturday's New Mexican for the story behind the win.
Jackie Bartleson scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Pojoaque. Janelle Roybal added 10 points as Pojoaque took a 22-17 lead after the half, then outscored the Rams 12-3 in the third quarter for a 34-20 lead.
Portales scrambled late in the fourth to get to within 44-38, but a Dionna Montoya bucket off an Ellen Cruz no-look pass settled the matter, for all intents and purposes.
Pojoaque finishes the season 31-0 and is the third girls team this decade to post a perfect record.
Check Saturday's New Mexican for the story behind the win.
Class AAA semifinal: No. 2 St. Michael's vs. No. 3 Portales
It's a very good crowd for the Horsemen, with about 6,000 in the stands clad in blue-and-white.
Portales does have a size advantage. But St. Michael's has advanced this far the last four years. Experience can only help at this point.
First quarter
Both teams are off to slow starts. Turnovers and bad shots fill the first couple of minutes. Finally, a breakthrough. Elijah Garcia makes a nice down cut and gets a Michael Yardman-Frank pass for a layup. MY-F then adds a 3 sandwiched around a William Archibeque layup for Portales.
Timeout, Rams.
St. Michael's leads 7-2.
Jordan Romero is getting to the free-throw line. He has hit six straight freebie and now the Horsemen lead 11-2 with less than 3 minutes to go.
The game has stalled as both teams have traded a couple of turnovers. Marcus Slocum finally hits a free throw after four tries and the quarter ends with a Patrick Griswold miss from the corner.
St. Michael's 11, Portales 3
Second quarter
Repeat of the first quarter. Slow starts before the Horsemen get going. A 3-plus minute drought ends with Patrick Griswold putting in a second offensive rebound and getting fouled. He misses the free throw.
Gabe Ortiz then gets fouled and hits two free throws.
St. Michael's up 15-4 with 5:26 to go.
It's getting away from the Rams very quickly here. Garcia hits a pair and then Romero hits a corner 3 that forced Portales head coach Mark Gallegos to call a timeout.
20-4, St. Michael's at the 4:28 mark.
It gets worse. A Justin Smith breakaway layup is followed by a baseline floater by Romero. The Rams, who were 1-for-9 from the field by this point - get back-to-back baskets from Nick Bliss. After a timeout, Jeremy Romero scores.
26-8, St. Michael's. 2:30 left.
And the half ends with a bang. Romero hits two free throws then a buzzer-beating 3 that brings the Horsemen hopeful alive.
Halftime
St. Michael's 33, Portales 11
Third quarter
Portales made a short run, getting to within 34-18 with the help of five free throws and a layup, but the Horsemen again took control of matters. St. Michael's easily broke the Portales press and got layups from Griswold, Jordan Romero and two free throws from the senior. The free throws got Romero to the 20-point threshold for the second straight game.
The quarter ends with Portales failing to get a shot off.
St. Michael's 44, Portales 19
Fourth quarter
The storm has slowed for the Rams, but the margin did get to 48-20. The seniors are coming out now. Romero will finish with 20 points and a chance for a third state title in his career. The rams have closed the gap to 51-31, but it is too little, too late.
Tomorrow's championship will be at 12:30 p.m.
Jeff Najjar is on the floor, and that means only good things.
He has hit two of four free throws, the Rams continue to cut the margin, but clock is too fast.
Time runs out and the Horsemen win, 53-36.
St. Michael's plays Hope Christian, which beat Sandia Preparatory in overtime this morning.
Portales does have a size advantage. But St. Michael's has advanced this far the last four years. Experience can only help at this point.
First quarter
Both teams are off to slow starts. Turnovers and bad shots fill the first couple of minutes. Finally, a breakthrough. Elijah Garcia makes a nice down cut and gets a Michael Yardman-Frank pass for a layup. MY-F then adds a 3 sandwiched around a William Archibeque layup for Portales.
Timeout, Rams.
St. Michael's leads 7-2.
Jordan Romero is getting to the free-throw line. He has hit six straight freebie and now the Horsemen lead 11-2 with less than 3 minutes to go.
The game has stalled as both teams have traded a couple of turnovers. Marcus Slocum finally hits a free throw after four tries and the quarter ends with a Patrick Griswold miss from the corner.
St. Michael's 11, Portales 3
Second quarter
Repeat of the first quarter. Slow starts before the Horsemen get going. A 3-plus minute drought ends with Patrick Griswold putting in a second offensive rebound and getting fouled. He misses the free throw.
Gabe Ortiz then gets fouled and hits two free throws.
St. Michael's up 15-4 with 5:26 to go.
It's getting away from the Rams very quickly here. Garcia hits a pair and then Romero hits a corner 3 that forced Portales head coach Mark Gallegos to call a timeout.
20-4, St. Michael's at the 4:28 mark.
It gets worse. A Justin Smith breakaway layup is followed by a baseline floater by Romero. The Rams, who were 1-for-9 from the field by this point - get back-to-back baskets from Nick Bliss. After a timeout, Jeremy Romero scores.
26-8, St. Michael's. 2:30 left.
And the half ends with a bang. Romero hits two free throws then a buzzer-beating 3 that brings the Horsemen hopeful alive.
Halftime
St. Michael's 33, Portales 11
Third quarter
Portales made a short run, getting to within 34-18 with the help of five free throws and a layup, but the Horsemen again took control of matters. St. Michael's easily broke the Portales press and got layups from Griswold, Jordan Romero and two free throws from the senior. The free throws got Romero to the 20-point threshold for the second straight game.
The quarter ends with Portales failing to get a shot off.
St. Michael's 44, Portales 19
Fourth quarter
The storm has slowed for the Rams, but the margin did get to 48-20. The seniors are coming out now. Romero will finish with 20 points and a chance for a third state title in his career. The rams have closed the gap to 51-31, but it is too little, too late.
Tomorrow's championship will be at 12:30 p.m.
Jeff Najjar is on the floor, and that means only good things.
He has hit two of four free throws, the Rams continue to cut the margin, but clock is too fast.
Time runs out and the Horsemen win, 53-36.
St. Michael's plays Hope Christian, which beat Sandia Preparatory in overtime this morning.
Class AA semifinal: No. 3 Mesa Vista vs. No. 2 Santa Rosa
There is a lot of Trojan black in the arena, but that is offset by the purple of the Lions.
It plans on being a very festive game. The two teams played in the AA quarterfinals last year, won by Santa Rosa 69-62. They also played in the championship of the Tularosa Tournament. Again, the Lions won, 67-62, rallying from a 25-point deficit to do it.
First quarter
The action is fast-paced, with a lot of turnovers.
Jaime Cruz Jr. has come out fast, scoring eight of his team's 10 points. Lions head coach Frank Ortiz is livid, and he breaks two clipboards to prove it. Then he complains to the referee about the quality of today's clipboards.
Santa Rosa has responded, scoring five straight points.
Lions 13, Trojans 10. 1:39 to go.
Cruz hits a baseline jumper to get the Trojans to within three. Santa Rosa tries to hustle for a last-second shot but the buzzer sounds before than.
Cruz now has 10 points.
Lions 15, Trojans 12
Second quarter
Frankie Giron is off to a rough start. two more misses to start the quarter makes him 0-for-7 overall and 0-for-5 from 3-point range. The Trojans are 0-8 as a team from the perimeter. Turnovers are also becoming an issue, and the Lions are taking advantage of theirs. They scored the first six points of the quarter and took a 21-12 lead before Adrian Coronado scored on a bucket. Mesa Vista has been turned into a jump-shooting team and is executing poorly at that.
A Trojan miss and a bucket for Santa Rosa now makes it 23-14 with 5:01 to go.
Mesa Vista head coach Thomas Vigil calls a timeout.
Giron finally gets on the scoreboard with a 19-footer, but the Trojans cannot solve the Lions' matchup zone. A Trojan steal leads to a Giron layup and now Ortiz calls a timeout with 3:41 to go. With a new clipboard.
23-18, Lions.
Cruz nails a 3 from the top of the key (seems like these players are using the red college line as reference instead of the black one) and the lead it 23-21. Daniel Bailey misses a second straight close range layup for Santa Rosa and Coronado comes back with an offensive board and then is fouled. He hits two free throws, then comes up with a steal. Giron, who has just checked back in, hits a wing 3 for a three-point lead.
Frank Ortiz calls his fourth timeout. he has only one left for the rest of the game.
26-23, Mesa Vista.
Cruz and Giron combine for layups, and Santa Rosa finally gets on the scoreboard with a layup from Gary Agar.
The half ends with Mesa Vista on a 16-2 run.
Mesa Vista 30, Santa Rosa 25.
Third quarter
The Lions regain control of the game. A 9-0 run has ensued with guard Joaquin Bachicha scoring seven of the points. The run comes to a temporary halt when Coronado hits one of two free throws and the Trojans force yet another turnover. It is the 20th of the game for the Lions.
Cruz drives and gets fouled. He hits two to make it 34-33 as we hit the 4-minute mark.
Cruz continues his scoring mastery, hitting two more free throws.
The Lions score three straight, capped by Jeff Reeves steal and layup. Cruz travels.
Bachicha hits a reverse layup and it's 41-35, Lions.
Mesa Vista timeout, 1:46 to go.
Cruz comes up with a layup, Santa Rosa turns it over, and Giron gets fouled. He makes one of two.
Jeff Reeves and Cruz trade 3-pointers, with Cruz's coming at the buzzer. Cruz scored nine of his team's 11 points and has 24 points for the game.
The fourth should be exciting.
Santa Rosa 44, Mesa Vista 41.
Fourth quarter
Estevan Trujillo hits a baseline jumper, but Robert Serrano replies with a layup. The two teams trade turnovers - with one being a Santa Rosa charge.
Giron is on the break and fires a 3, and Bachicha fouls him. He hits all three and the game is tied at 46. 5:51 left.
Giron gets a steal and feed to Coronado, but Bachicha comes from behind with the block. Then Bachicha turns it over on the other end. Cruz hits a baseline jumper for a 48-46 lead. Trujillo misses a short j, but Coronado comes up with a big block on a breakaway. Giron throws up a wild shot, then the Lions grab three offensive rebounds before Serrano gets a putback.
Timeout, Mesa Vista.
48-48 with 3:34 on the clock.
Cruz gets fouled and hits one of two free throws. He now has 27 points.
Another Lions offensive rebound, but Trujillo gets a steal. Then Bachicha gets a loose ball.
Yet another Santa Rosa offensive rebound, then the Lions can't get the inbounds pass in.
The last timeout is used.
49-48, Mesa Vista with 2:35 left.
Cruz comes up with a heady play, knocking the ball off of Bachicha for a turnover. Then Kris Buzzard is called for a 5-second violation. 2:14 remains.
Reeves scores a bucket, then Bachicha gets a rebound and is fouled. It's the sixth team foul on Mesa Vista. The Trojans are in the one-and-one bonus. 1:23 to go.
The Lions turn the ball over, then Cruz steps on the line for a turnover.
A Giron steal. Buzzard misses, but Coronado steals the ball.
Giron gets fouled, then has the first one rattle in and out, then the second one popped out. Coronado fouls Reeves. He hits two for 52-49 with 37.7 left.
Timeout, Mesa Vista. The Trojans have one more left.
Lions 52, Trojans 49.
50-49, Santa Rosa
Mesa Vista sets it up for Cruz, but Trujillo's bounce pass gets past him. Cruz saves it back to Trujillo, then gets it back.
A baseline drive draws the foul and he hits two.
52-51, 16.6 to go.
Coronado fouls Ricardo Roybal with 14.67 to go and he gets the first shot high off the back of the rim and in. The second is good.
54-51.
Bachicha fouls Giron in the backcourt with 12.7 left.
The senior hits both free throws, then Coronado fouls Roybal again in the one-and-one.
He rolls the first one in, then the second
56-53.
Giron gets the pick from Cruz, hits the wing 3 and we go to ...
OVERTIME!!!
56-56.
Overtime
Cruz hits two free throws to start. Agar misses and Bizzard boards. Coronado misses a drive and Santa Rosa has it.
Roybal 3 makes it 57-56, then Giron tries to answer with his triple and misses. Cruz gets called for the foul on Roybal. He hits two.
59-56, Santa Rosa.
Giron misses a 3, then Serrano grabs two offensive boards before Trujillo is called for the foul. Serrano makes two and it's 63-58, Lions with 2:06 left.
Timeout, Mesa Vista. The Lions are a plus-8 rebounding since the fourth quarter.
The Trojans are now in a must-score mode, but the Lions won't give them anything. Cruz misses a 3 and the Lions work the clock.
Serrano is fouled by Buzzard at 1:13, and he misses the first. The second is also no good, but the board comes back to Serrano. The Lions run more time off the clock before Coronado fouls Roybal.
He hits two and it's 65-58 with less then a minute left.
Giron misses a 3. Roybal is fouled yet again, with 36.3 left. He misses the first, but hits the second.
66-58.
Cruz finally hits a 3, but it may be too late. Serrano is fouled with 16.2 to go.
He hits two and it's 68-61.
Giron misses a 3, Serrano gets a final breakway basket and the Lions advance to the AA final.
Lions 70, Trojans 61.
Mesa Vista finishes 25-5, but have yet to beat the Lions when it matters the most.
It plans on being a very festive game. The two teams played in the AA quarterfinals last year, won by Santa Rosa 69-62. They also played in the championship of the Tularosa Tournament. Again, the Lions won, 67-62, rallying from a 25-point deficit to do it.
First quarter
The action is fast-paced, with a lot of turnovers.
Jaime Cruz Jr. has come out fast, scoring eight of his team's 10 points. Lions head coach Frank Ortiz is livid, and he breaks two clipboards to prove it. Then he complains to the referee about the quality of today's clipboards.
Santa Rosa has responded, scoring five straight points.
Lions 13, Trojans 10. 1:39 to go.
Cruz hits a baseline jumper to get the Trojans to within three. Santa Rosa tries to hustle for a last-second shot but the buzzer sounds before than.
Cruz now has 10 points.
Lions 15, Trojans 12
Second quarter
Frankie Giron is off to a rough start. two more misses to start the quarter makes him 0-for-7 overall and 0-for-5 from 3-point range. The Trojans are 0-8 as a team from the perimeter. Turnovers are also becoming an issue, and the Lions are taking advantage of theirs. They scored the first six points of the quarter and took a 21-12 lead before Adrian Coronado scored on a bucket. Mesa Vista has been turned into a jump-shooting team and is executing poorly at that.
A Trojan miss and a bucket for Santa Rosa now makes it 23-14 with 5:01 to go.
Mesa Vista head coach Thomas Vigil calls a timeout.
Giron finally gets on the scoreboard with a 19-footer, but the Trojans cannot solve the Lions' matchup zone. A Trojan steal leads to a Giron layup and now Ortiz calls a timeout with 3:41 to go. With a new clipboard.
23-18, Lions.
Cruz nails a 3 from the top of the key (seems like these players are using the red college line as reference instead of the black one) and the lead it 23-21. Daniel Bailey misses a second straight close range layup for Santa Rosa and Coronado comes back with an offensive board and then is fouled. He hits two free throws, then comes up with a steal. Giron, who has just checked back in, hits a wing 3 for a three-point lead.
Frank Ortiz calls his fourth timeout. he has only one left for the rest of the game.
26-23, Mesa Vista.
Cruz and Giron combine for layups, and Santa Rosa finally gets on the scoreboard with a layup from Gary Agar.
The half ends with Mesa Vista on a 16-2 run.
Mesa Vista 30, Santa Rosa 25.
Third quarter
The Lions regain control of the game. A 9-0 run has ensued with guard Joaquin Bachicha scoring seven of the points. The run comes to a temporary halt when Coronado hits one of two free throws and the Trojans force yet another turnover. It is the 20th of the game for the Lions.
Cruz drives and gets fouled. He hits two to make it 34-33 as we hit the 4-minute mark.
Cruz continues his scoring mastery, hitting two more free throws.
The Lions score three straight, capped by Jeff Reeves steal and layup. Cruz travels.
Bachicha hits a reverse layup and it's 41-35, Lions.
Mesa Vista timeout, 1:46 to go.
Cruz comes up with a layup, Santa Rosa turns it over, and Giron gets fouled. He makes one of two.
Jeff Reeves and Cruz trade 3-pointers, with Cruz's coming at the buzzer. Cruz scored nine of his team's 11 points and has 24 points for the game.
The fourth should be exciting.
Santa Rosa 44, Mesa Vista 41.
Fourth quarter
Estevan Trujillo hits a baseline jumper, but Robert Serrano replies with a layup. The two teams trade turnovers - with one being a Santa Rosa charge.
Giron is on the break and fires a 3, and Bachicha fouls him. He hits all three and the game is tied at 46. 5:51 left.
Giron gets a steal and feed to Coronado, but Bachicha comes from behind with the block. Then Bachicha turns it over on the other end. Cruz hits a baseline jumper for a 48-46 lead. Trujillo misses a short j, but Coronado comes up with a big block on a breakaway. Giron throws up a wild shot, then the Lions grab three offensive rebounds before Serrano gets a putback.
Timeout, Mesa Vista.
48-48 with 3:34 on the clock.
Cruz gets fouled and hits one of two free throws. He now has 27 points.
Another Lions offensive rebound, but Trujillo gets a steal. Then Bachicha gets a loose ball.
Yet another Santa Rosa offensive rebound, then the Lions can't get the inbounds pass in.
The last timeout is used.
49-48, Mesa Vista with 2:35 left.
Cruz comes up with a heady play, knocking the ball off of Bachicha for a turnover. Then Kris Buzzard is called for a 5-second violation. 2:14 remains.
Reeves scores a bucket, then Bachicha gets a rebound and is fouled. It's the sixth team foul on Mesa Vista. The Trojans are in the one-and-one bonus. 1:23 to go.
The Lions turn the ball over, then Cruz steps on the line for a turnover.
A Giron steal. Buzzard misses, but Coronado steals the ball.
Giron gets fouled, then has the first one rattle in and out, then the second one popped out. Coronado fouls Reeves. He hits two for 52-49 with 37.7 left.
Timeout, Mesa Vista. The Trojans have one more left.
Lions 52, Trojans 49.
50-49, Santa Rosa
Mesa Vista sets it up for Cruz, but Trujillo's bounce pass gets past him. Cruz saves it back to Trujillo, then gets it back.
A baseline drive draws the foul and he hits two.
52-51, 16.6 to go.
Coronado fouls Ricardo Roybal with 14.67 to go and he gets the first shot high off the back of the rim and in. The second is good.
54-51.
Bachicha fouls Giron in the backcourt with 12.7 left.
The senior hits both free throws, then Coronado fouls Roybal again in the one-and-one.
He rolls the first one in, then the second
56-53.
Giron gets the pick from Cruz, hits the wing 3 and we go to ...
OVERTIME!!!
56-56.
Overtime
Cruz hits two free throws to start. Agar misses and Bizzard boards. Coronado misses a drive and Santa Rosa has it.
Roybal 3 makes it 57-56, then Giron tries to answer with his triple and misses. Cruz gets called for the foul on Roybal. He hits two.
59-56, Santa Rosa.
Giron misses a 3, then Serrano grabs two offensive boards before Trujillo is called for the foul. Serrano makes two and it's 63-58, Lions with 2:06 left.
Timeout, Mesa Vista. The Lions are a plus-8 rebounding since the fourth quarter.
The Trojans are now in a must-score mode, but the Lions won't give them anything. Cruz misses a 3 and the Lions work the clock.
Serrano is fouled by Buzzard at 1:13, and he misses the first. The second is also no good, but the board comes back to Serrano. The Lions run more time off the clock before Coronado fouls Roybal.
He hits two and it's 65-58 with less then a minute left.
Giron misses a 3. Roybal is fouled yet again, with 36.3 left. He misses the first, but hits the second.
66-58.
Cruz finally hits a 3, but it may be too late. Serrano is fouled with 16.2 to go.
He hits two and it's 68-61.
Giron misses a 3, Serrano gets a final breakway basket and the Lions advance to the AA final.
Lions 70, Trojans 61.
Mesa Vista finishes 25-5, but have yet to beat the Lions when it matters the most.
Postscript to Day 3
What a day it has been. And not just on the basketball court. First of all, I must apologize to the woman from Pojoaque who I rear-ended today - and then forgot her name. I am sooo full of fail today - before the Pojoaque-St. Michael's girls game. It has been an incident that has troubled me all day. In my 14 years as a driver, I had never been at fault in an accident. Now that I am, I am incredibly chagrined. What I will say to the rest of you out there is a subtle reminder we all need to hear while on the road: Be careful. I certainly was not. Thankfully, it was an accident at slow speed and no one was hurt - including Mr. Kyle Binder, who was the third car involved and who I made late for his lunch date with his father. I also apologize to you.
Too bad I missed the first quarter of the game, because it sounds like it was an awesome start for the Elkettes. Hopefully all will go well for everyone involved, including my red face.
And thanks to the Capital High coaches and to referee Leon Lopez for their concern with my well being. It's always nice that people are looking out for you. Of course, you could have stopped by the accident and said hi. Would have made me feel slightly better ...
With that out of the way, let's talk some basketball.
It was a day that started slow, but picked up steam to a fantastic finish. From Robertson's attempt at an upset, to Pojoaque's dismantling of the Lady Horsemen to one of the most thrilling games seen on The Pit floor in recent memory, this was a night to remember.
But only two days remain, and my stay at the state tournament could be short - Hell, it could be over by Friday night. So, Mesa Vista and St. Michael's, I look to you to give me something to write for on Saturday.
Here are my thoughts for today:
1. Española fans can be enthusiastic. They can be blindly supportive. They can be a wonderful cast of characters that add to the life of the state tournament.
But they also can turn mean and nasty. And malicious. Their act after their Sundevils lost in triple overtime was inexcusable. Be mad at head coach Richard Martinez. Be mad at the foul call that should have been a jump ball in the final minute of that overtime. But throw bottles onto the floor and at the referees? That's classless. And completely within the realm of what the rest of the state expects from Española fans. Want to know why the rest of the state mocks you and think so lowly of you? Well, you just hardened that stereotype of your behavior. Make all the excuses you want for those handful of people who let their rage cloud their judgment, but they are the ones who keep you down.
I hope the NMAA investigates this. It was unnecessary and potentially dangerous for the very people we come to see - the kids.
Shame on you.
As for your beef with Martinez's coaching? Well, that made for a wonderful postgame display. Sometimes, I wish games were played in an empty gym, because some people do not deserve to watch. They use moments like the end result of a well-played and hard-fought game to indulge their grudges.
2. I will say this: What Martinez did today was no different than what he has done at the end of other games. But those games ended differently. The strategy backfired this time, and he'll live with that for quite a long time. But it's easy to criticize now. It wasn't when it worked.
Live and learn.
What was it Damian Segura said in his St. Pius Sartans' loss on Wednesday?
"Only death is forever."
3. Pojoaque deserves a great challenge for its final game of a great season and a great team. Portales is not great. The Lady Rams are good, and they will test the Elkettes, especially on defense. If this game escapes the 30s, I would be surprised. If it gets into the 40s, Portales will surely lose by double digits. So the task for the state's best team in AAA is this: How patient can you be? The answer you supply will be rewarded justly.
4. Funny how one decision can make - or break - a season. For Martinez, it was going to their spread offense. For Robertson's Aunna Roanhaus, it was sitting Brooke Knezevich. For Martin Romero, it was focusing on Ellen Cruz and Jackie Bartleson. None of them provided the desired outcome, but all three decisions were the right ones.
Martinez did what he had always done - force teams to chase his talented guards. The Sundevils have broken down plenty of defenses doing that, getting to the free-throw line and picking up easy layups. The problem with Thursday's decision was that his players stopped being the aggressors. Instead of forcing the issue by attacking the basket, Española seemed to lose its edge and let the Bulldogs dictate the action, not the other way around. Too many times, you saw the Sundevils abort drives and pull the ball back out to near midcourt.
Roanhaus knew her best chance was to have Knezevich on the court. She pushed her luck once with leaving her 5-10 post out there with two fouls, but she didn't feel like it would last. The Lady Cardinals had a 21-16 lead and were just a few minutes from halftime. The rest of her teammates failed to protect their lead, and let the season crumble.
Romero had to pick his poison. Hope for off games from Marissa Romero, Janelle Roybal and Dionna Montoya, but don't let Cruz and Bartleson beat you. Cruz had two points, Bartleson had six. But when a team has five weapons at its disposal, how to you stop them all? He chose the path that he felt gave the Lady Horsemen a chance to win. Pojoaque is just that much better.
5. With that said, here are my predictions for today
Class AA semifinal
Mesa Vista 66, Santa Rosa 60. The Trojans get over that Lions hump.
Class AAA semifinal
St. Michael's 45, Portales 41. We all want a Hope Christian-St. Michael's final, right? Well, not if you're a Pojoaque fan.
Class AAA championship
Pojoaque 37, Portales 33. Great programs have to put their stamp on them. That gets done tonight.
Sweet dreams, my fellow New Mexicans.
Too bad I missed the first quarter of the game, because it sounds like it was an awesome start for the Elkettes. Hopefully all will go well for everyone involved, including my red face.
And thanks to the Capital High coaches and to referee Leon Lopez for their concern with my well being. It's always nice that people are looking out for you. Of course, you could have stopped by the accident and said hi. Would have made me feel slightly better ...
With that out of the way, let's talk some basketball.
It was a day that started slow, but picked up steam to a fantastic finish. From Robertson's attempt at an upset, to Pojoaque's dismantling of the Lady Horsemen to one of the most thrilling games seen on The Pit floor in recent memory, this was a night to remember.
But only two days remain, and my stay at the state tournament could be short - Hell, it could be over by Friday night. So, Mesa Vista and St. Michael's, I look to you to give me something to write for on Saturday.
Here are my thoughts for today:
1. Española fans can be enthusiastic. They can be blindly supportive. They can be a wonderful cast of characters that add to the life of the state tournament.
But they also can turn mean and nasty. And malicious. Their act after their Sundevils lost in triple overtime was inexcusable. Be mad at head coach Richard Martinez. Be mad at the foul call that should have been a jump ball in the final minute of that overtime. But throw bottles onto the floor and at the referees? That's classless. And completely within the realm of what the rest of the state expects from Española fans. Want to know why the rest of the state mocks you and think so lowly of you? Well, you just hardened that stereotype of your behavior. Make all the excuses you want for those handful of people who let their rage cloud their judgment, but they are the ones who keep you down.
I hope the NMAA investigates this. It was unnecessary and potentially dangerous for the very people we come to see - the kids.
Shame on you.
As for your beef with Martinez's coaching? Well, that made for a wonderful postgame display. Sometimes, I wish games were played in an empty gym, because some people do not deserve to watch. They use moments like the end result of a well-played and hard-fought game to indulge their grudges.
2. I will say this: What Martinez did today was no different than what he has done at the end of other games. But those games ended differently. The strategy backfired this time, and he'll live with that for quite a long time. But it's easy to criticize now. It wasn't when it worked.
Live and learn.
What was it Damian Segura said in his St. Pius Sartans' loss on Wednesday?
"Only death is forever."
3. Pojoaque deserves a great challenge for its final game of a great season and a great team. Portales is not great. The Lady Rams are good, and they will test the Elkettes, especially on defense. If this game escapes the 30s, I would be surprised. If it gets into the 40s, Portales will surely lose by double digits. So the task for the state's best team in AAA is this: How patient can you be? The answer you supply will be rewarded justly.
4. Funny how one decision can make - or break - a season. For Martinez, it was going to their spread offense. For Robertson's Aunna Roanhaus, it was sitting Brooke Knezevich. For Martin Romero, it was focusing on Ellen Cruz and Jackie Bartleson. None of them provided the desired outcome, but all three decisions were the right ones.
Martinez did what he had always done - force teams to chase his talented guards. The Sundevils have broken down plenty of defenses doing that, getting to the free-throw line and picking up easy layups. The problem with Thursday's decision was that his players stopped being the aggressors. Instead of forcing the issue by attacking the basket, Española seemed to lose its edge and let the Bulldogs dictate the action, not the other way around. Too many times, you saw the Sundevils abort drives and pull the ball back out to near midcourt.
Roanhaus knew her best chance was to have Knezevich on the court. She pushed her luck once with leaving her 5-10 post out there with two fouls, but she didn't feel like it would last. The Lady Cardinals had a 21-16 lead and were just a few minutes from halftime. The rest of her teammates failed to protect their lead, and let the season crumble.
Romero had to pick his poison. Hope for off games from Marissa Romero, Janelle Roybal and Dionna Montoya, but don't let Cruz and Bartleson beat you. Cruz had two points, Bartleson had six. But when a team has five weapons at its disposal, how to you stop them all? He chose the path that he felt gave the Lady Horsemen a chance to win. Pojoaque is just that much better.
5. With that said, here are my predictions for today
Class AA semifinal
Mesa Vista 66, Santa Rosa 60. The Trojans get over that Lions hump.
Class AAA semifinal
St. Michael's 45, Portales 41. We all want a Hope Christian-St. Michael's final, right? Well, not if you're a Pojoaque fan.
Class AAA championship
Pojoaque 37, Portales 33. Great programs have to put their stamp on them. That gets done tonight.
Sweet dreams, my fellow New Mexicans.
Mar 12, 2009
Class AAAA semifinal: No. 1 Española Valley vs. No. 4 Artesia
The crowd is more electric than last night. Richard Martinez tells his players before the opening tip that they know what is at stake and to leave everything – and he meant everything – on the court for 32 minutes.
And with that, away we go ...
First quarter
The Sundevils start strong, hitting three straight shots to open an 8-2 lead. Artesia is battling back with a heavy dose of Derek Montoya, who has 10 of his team's 12 points. Luis Alvarado has hit two 3s to lead Española
Sundevils 15, Bulldogs 12.
Second quarter
This quarter showed how little fear Española has going to the basket. Luis Alvarado, Ray Romero and Matthew Brito all scored off of drives at Bollema and Montoya. Aaron Aragon hit one of two free throws to give the Sundevils a 28-20 lead with 1:12 to go. But Montoya has been unstoppable. He answered with a three-point play on a leaner from 8 feet to cut the lead to 28-23. Here is one stat the Sundevils should take note: Until Montoya's jumper, all of Artesia's 10 baskets have been layups or putbacks.
Don't be surprised if Española packs it in and dares the Bulldogs to score form the outside.
Halftime is over. the third quarter begins.
Española 28, Artesia 23
Third quarter
Offenses were cold on both sides. Española missed four of its first five shots of the half, while Artesia was 2-for-6. Montoya tied the score at 28 on a spin move and foul. But Alvarado and Brito hit baskets to make it 32-28.
It is 32-30, with less than 2 minutes to go.
Bollema scores on a short basket, but misses the foul shot for a three-point play.
Ryan Salazar, the team's sixth man, comes up with a big drive and reverse for 34-32. Montoya misses a deep 3 (Bulldogs still haven't hit a shot outside of 8 feet) and the quarter concludes
Sundevils 34, Bulldogs 32.
Fourth quarter
It's Matthew Brito all over again. The senior guard scores on a drive from the wing as the Sundevils go into it's spread offense. He then combined a crossover with a 16-footer to make it 38-32 with 4:54 to go.
Maldonado goes up into the air for a steal. The Sundevils are spreading the floor out and making the Bulldogs give chase. It's Española at its best, but then Kevin Chandler gets a steal and a bucket for 38-34 with 3:35 to go. Twenty seconds later, a timeout by Richard Martinez.
Española is trying to kill more time off the clock, but then Sergio Arias steals the ball for Artesia. Then Kevin Chandler throws the ball away. No worries, Brito is called for a carrying violation.
Still 38-34, Sundevils. Artesia head coach Ika Montoya calls a timeout with 1:52 to go.
Devyn Garcia drives and misses, but Arias is there for the offensive board and is fouled by Maldonado. Two swishes and its 38-36, with 1:37 to go.
Española turns the ball over for the fourth straight possession.
1:25 left.
Now it's Montoya's turn to play hero. He doesn't give up on Bollema's air ball, gets the offensive carom, scores and gets fouled by Alvarado. Montoya hits the bonus and it's ...
Artesia 39, Española 38. 58.6 seconds left.
Española continues to run its spread. Maldonado misses a 10 footer, but Alvarado taps it to Salazar. 35 seconds left. The offense continues and Maldonado fires a 3, but misses. Montoya gets the board and is fouled by Maldonado. It's his fifth. Montoya hits one, but Martinez calls a timeout. Has Maldonado played his last game?
40-38, Bulldogs.
Montoya hits the second. The Sundevils try to get the ball to Brito but Alvarado can't get it to him. Martinez calls his final timeout. Brito hits a worthless 3 as the teams head to their benches.
5.1 seconds remain.
Apparently the Sundevils did have one more timeout. It is called when Salazar's pass to Brito is slapped out by Montoya.
4.4 remains.
This time Brito inbounds it. To Romero, and he rattles in a 3 as time expires! The bench explodes and surrounds Romero. The place it alive and there are 4 more minutes of basketball!
41-41. OVERTIME!!
Overtime
Guess what time it is? Brito time. He hits a runner on a breakaway from a Salazar steal. He misses the freebie, but Ryan Salazar hustles for the rebound. He misses the free throw, though, with the team all locked arm-in-arm (coaches even). Montoya answers with a layup and it's 43-43. Romero tries to drive, but falls. The Sundevils call their only timeout of the extra period.
2:31 is left.
Española kills more than a minute off the clock and Brito's 17-footer rolls off the rim. Bollema boards and the Bulldogs call a timeout after bring the ball past halfcourt. They have one more left.
1:14 is left.
Richard Martinez tells his players to be ready to "trap the hell out of it." The Sundevils do but knock it out.
Salazar fouls Kolby Caton and it is the 10th team foul. Caton has one roll out, then the second is good. 44-43. 54.9 to go.
Romero has the ball stolen by Caton. Motnoya is fouled but makes only one of two. 45-43.
Brito comes down and hits one off the glass with :19 to go.
Garcia steps on the sideline, giving the Sundevils one last chance.
Brito's jumper is off the back of the iron, Salazar saves but time runs out.
DOUBLE OVERTIME!
Second OT
Bollema misses a 7-footer, but follows with a putback.
Romero loses the ball, but then Bollema double dribbles.
Alvrado drives and scores for 47-47.
Salazar fouls Bollema, but is hurt and on the ground. He gets up to the rousing cheers of the 12,000-plus in the gym. 2:39 to go.
Salazar rolls his ankle. but Bollema misses his two.
Again, Romero falls, gets in trouble and calls timeout. 2:09 to go.
Again, the Sundevils struggle to find a shot, but Brito tries one from the baseline and misses. The ball is tipped backed to him and he puts it back in for 49-47.
Montoya answers with a turnaround in the block plus a foul. The three-point play makes it 50-49, with 59.2 to go.
Brito is fouled on a drive and hits two for 51-50 with 41.4 to go.
Artesia almost gets called for a 10-second violation but Montoya drives and get fouled. Misses one then hits the second. 51-all 29.8 to go.
Española goes for the final shot. Romero fires a 3, but it rattles off and we go to a ....
THIRD OVERTIME!!!
51-51.
Third overtime
Jordan Aguilar is a new name. he gets fouled and hits one of two
On the rebound, Antonio Valdez is called for the foul by Artesia.
Daniel Archuleta hits two free throws. A Bulldog miss gives the ball back, then ... (Wait for it ...) Ray Romero calls another timeout when he gets stuck with the ball.
2:48 to go. 53-52, Sundevils.
Daniel Archuleta draws a foul from Bollema, but hits one of two.
54-52. 2:36 to go.
Montoya is fouled on a dubious call (jump ball, maybe?) but hits only one of two. 54-53. 2:21 to go.
Brito collects a foul and hits one of two.
Then Montoya gets fouled and hits two.
Tied at 55. Timeout, Artesia. 1:48 left.
Romero is called for a 5-second violation. Aguilar is fouled and hits one of two. 1:15 left.
56-55, Artesia.
Aragon drives and is fouled by Bollema. He hits one of two.
56-56. 53.9 left.
Montoya is given the ball and the Bulldogs are looking for the final shot. He picks up the dribble and calls timeout when no help arrives.
:19.6 on the clock.
56-56.
Montoya goes for a shot with 5 seconds left, but misses. The ball rolls out. Artesia ball.
One lat play, a lob to Montoya and it rolls in.
The Sundevils are crushed. The Bulldogs dog pile. Bottles are being thrown. Not a pretty sight to end the game
Espanola ends the season 25-5.
And with that, away we go ...
First quarter
The Sundevils start strong, hitting three straight shots to open an 8-2 lead. Artesia is battling back with a heavy dose of Derek Montoya, who has 10 of his team's 12 points. Luis Alvarado has hit two 3s to lead Española
Sundevils 15, Bulldogs 12.
Second quarter
This quarter showed how little fear Española has going to the basket. Luis Alvarado, Ray Romero and Matthew Brito all scored off of drives at Bollema and Montoya. Aaron Aragon hit one of two free throws to give the Sundevils a 28-20 lead with 1:12 to go. But Montoya has been unstoppable. He answered with a three-point play on a leaner from 8 feet to cut the lead to 28-23. Here is one stat the Sundevils should take note: Until Montoya's jumper, all of Artesia's 10 baskets have been layups or putbacks.
Don't be surprised if Española packs it in and dares the Bulldogs to score form the outside.
Halftime is over. the third quarter begins.
Española 28, Artesia 23
Third quarter
Offenses were cold on both sides. Española missed four of its first five shots of the half, while Artesia was 2-for-6. Montoya tied the score at 28 on a spin move and foul. But Alvarado and Brito hit baskets to make it 32-28.
It is 32-30, with less than 2 minutes to go.
Bollema scores on a short basket, but misses the foul shot for a three-point play.
Ryan Salazar, the team's sixth man, comes up with a big drive and reverse for 34-32. Montoya misses a deep 3 (Bulldogs still haven't hit a shot outside of 8 feet) and the quarter concludes
Sundevils 34, Bulldogs 32.
Fourth quarter
It's Matthew Brito all over again. The senior guard scores on a drive from the wing as the Sundevils go into it's spread offense. He then combined a crossover with a 16-footer to make it 38-32 with 4:54 to go.
Maldonado goes up into the air for a steal. The Sundevils are spreading the floor out and making the Bulldogs give chase. It's Española at its best, but then Kevin Chandler gets a steal and a bucket for 38-34 with 3:35 to go. Twenty seconds later, a timeout by Richard Martinez.
Española is trying to kill more time off the clock, but then Sergio Arias steals the ball for Artesia. Then Kevin Chandler throws the ball away. No worries, Brito is called for a carrying violation.
Still 38-34, Sundevils. Artesia head coach Ika Montoya calls a timeout with 1:52 to go.
Devyn Garcia drives and misses, but Arias is there for the offensive board and is fouled by Maldonado. Two swishes and its 38-36, with 1:37 to go.
Española turns the ball over for the fourth straight possession.
1:25 left.
Now it's Montoya's turn to play hero. He doesn't give up on Bollema's air ball, gets the offensive carom, scores and gets fouled by Alvarado. Montoya hits the bonus and it's ...
Artesia 39, Española 38. 58.6 seconds left.
Española continues to run its spread. Maldonado misses a 10 footer, but Alvarado taps it to Salazar. 35 seconds left. The offense continues and Maldonado fires a 3, but misses. Montoya gets the board and is fouled by Maldonado. It's his fifth. Montoya hits one, but Martinez calls a timeout. Has Maldonado played his last game?
40-38, Bulldogs.
Montoya hits the second. The Sundevils try to get the ball to Brito but Alvarado can't get it to him. Martinez calls his final timeout. Brito hits a worthless 3 as the teams head to their benches.
5.1 seconds remain.
Apparently the Sundevils did have one more timeout. It is called when Salazar's pass to Brito is slapped out by Montoya.
4.4 remains.
This time Brito inbounds it. To Romero, and he rattles in a 3 as time expires! The bench explodes and surrounds Romero. The place it alive and there are 4 more minutes of basketball!
41-41. OVERTIME!!
Overtime
Guess what time it is? Brito time. He hits a runner on a breakaway from a Salazar steal. He misses the freebie, but Ryan Salazar hustles for the rebound. He misses the free throw, though, with the team all locked arm-in-arm (coaches even). Montoya answers with a layup and it's 43-43. Romero tries to drive, but falls. The Sundevils call their only timeout of the extra period.
2:31 is left.
Española kills more than a minute off the clock and Brito's 17-footer rolls off the rim. Bollema boards and the Bulldogs call a timeout after bring the ball past halfcourt. They have one more left.
1:14 is left.
Richard Martinez tells his players to be ready to "trap the hell out of it." The Sundevils do but knock it out.
Salazar fouls Kolby Caton and it is the 10th team foul. Caton has one roll out, then the second is good. 44-43. 54.9 to go.
Romero has the ball stolen by Caton. Motnoya is fouled but makes only one of two. 45-43.
Brito comes down and hits one off the glass with :19 to go.
Garcia steps on the sideline, giving the Sundevils one last chance.
Brito's jumper is off the back of the iron, Salazar saves but time runs out.
DOUBLE OVERTIME!
Second OT
Bollema misses a 7-footer, but follows with a putback.
Romero loses the ball, but then Bollema double dribbles.
Alvrado drives and scores for 47-47.
Salazar fouls Bollema, but is hurt and on the ground. He gets up to the rousing cheers of the 12,000-plus in the gym. 2:39 to go.
Salazar rolls his ankle. but Bollema misses his two.
Again, Romero falls, gets in trouble and calls timeout. 2:09 to go.
Again, the Sundevils struggle to find a shot, but Brito tries one from the baseline and misses. The ball is tipped backed to him and he puts it back in for 49-47.
Montoya answers with a turnaround in the block plus a foul. The three-point play makes it 50-49, with 59.2 to go.
Brito is fouled on a drive and hits two for 51-50 with 41.4 to go.
Artesia almost gets called for a 10-second violation but Montoya drives and get fouled. Misses one then hits the second. 51-all 29.8 to go.
Española goes for the final shot. Romero fires a 3, but it rattles off and we go to a ....
THIRD OVERTIME!!!
51-51.
Third overtime
Jordan Aguilar is a new name. he gets fouled and hits one of two
On the rebound, Antonio Valdez is called for the foul by Artesia.
Daniel Archuleta hits two free throws. A Bulldog miss gives the ball back, then ... (Wait for it ...) Ray Romero calls another timeout when he gets stuck with the ball.
2:48 to go. 53-52, Sundevils.
Daniel Archuleta draws a foul from Bollema, but hits one of two.
54-52. 2:36 to go.
Montoya is fouled on a dubious call (jump ball, maybe?) but hits only one of two. 54-53. 2:21 to go.
Brito collects a foul and hits one of two.
Then Montoya gets fouled and hits two.
Tied at 55. Timeout, Artesia. 1:48 left.
Romero is called for a 5-second violation. Aguilar is fouled and hits one of two. 1:15 left.
56-55, Artesia.
Aragon drives and is fouled by Bollema. He hits one of two.
56-56. 53.9 left.
Montoya is given the ball and the Bulldogs are looking for the final shot. He picks up the dribble and calls timeout when no help arrives.
:19.6 on the clock.
56-56.
Montoya goes for a shot with 5 seconds left, but misses. The ball rolls out. Artesia ball.
One lat play, a lob to Montoya and it rolls in.
The Sundevils are crushed. The Bulldogs dog pile. Bottles are being thrown. Not a pretty sight to end the game
Espanola ends the season 25-5.
Updates to the Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament
Again, my humblest apologies for not getting any information on this morning's games up, but it has been a rough morning (which you'll read about later on tonight).
As for today's games, the Lady Cardinals of Las Vegas Robertson saw their 2008-09 season end with a 56-48 loss to Portales in the opening game of the morning. Robertson, the 11th seed, only trailed 29-23 at the half but were outscored 12-5 in the third quarter as the Lady Rams built a 41-28 lead that proved to be too big to overcome.
Brooke Knezevich led the Lady Cardinals with 15 points, and Kassandra Tapia score 10.
In the big game of the morning, the top seeded Pojoaque Elkettes rolled to a 44-23 win over No. 4 St. Michael's to advance to their secdon straight AAA title game. It was 11-2 after a quarter as Marissa Romero scored nine of her team's points. She finished with 16 first-half points and the Elkettes led 24-6 at the half.
Pojoaque, which has now won 34 straight games since the start of last year's state tournament, will face Portlaes in a 1-vs.-2 matchup.
Game time is 6 p.m. on Friday.
I will provide updates for the Española-Artesia game. Already about 500 Sundevils fans are in the stands.
As for today's games, the Lady Cardinals of Las Vegas Robertson saw their 2008-09 season end with a 56-48 loss to Portales in the opening game of the morning. Robertson, the 11th seed, only trailed 29-23 at the half but were outscored 12-5 in the third quarter as the Lady Rams built a 41-28 lead that proved to be too big to overcome.
Brooke Knezevich led the Lady Cardinals with 15 points, and Kassandra Tapia score 10.
In the big game of the morning, the top seeded Pojoaque Elkettes rolled to a 44-23 win over No. 4 St. Michael's to advance to their secdon straight AAA title game. It was 11-2 after a quarter as Marissa Romero scored nine of her team's points. She finished with 16 first-half points and the Elkettes led 24-6 at the half.
Pojoaque, which has now won 34 straight games since the start of last year's state tournament, will face Portlaes in a 1-vs.-2 matchup.
Game time is 6 p.m. on Friday.
I will provide updates for the Española-Artesia game. Already about 500 Sundevils fans are in the stands.
Mar 11, 2009
Postscript to Day 2
If the girls opening day was just a reminder in AAA which district is the best in 2009, the boys opener was about suspense and surprises. And it wasn't just in the games I covered in The Pit.
The night session in The Pit and in the Santa Ana Star Center were phenomenal, in terms of action and the crowds. If you missed it, I am sorry to hear that. For those who were there, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
And while the hour is late, I cannot refrain from my duty to put the postscript on the evening.
1. I admit it: I have a man-crunch on Damian Segura. If I could be somebody else for one day, I would choose to be Albuquerque St. Pius X's head boys basketball coach. The man exudes cool. I mean, if he sweated, they would bottle it and sell it as a self-help aid for those of us who lack what he's got (which is a lot). If he sweated. The greatest moment I have ever witnessed in my six-plus years of covering state tournaments happened with a little more than 2 minutes to go in the Sartans' Class AAAA quarterfinal with Española Valley.
As he paced the sideline, he paused for a moment and made eye contact with me (or maybe it was NMPrep's publisher Kyle Henderson?). And then he cracked a quick smile at me (or us) before turning back to the game. This, while his team is trying to make a gallant comeback and continue for a four-peat. How can you not love that? I ate it up, and will never, ever forget that memory.
2. Move over, Sundevil fans. For all the pride you take in being one of the most supportive - and vocal - fan bases in the state, you have to take a back seat to Bengal Nation. Maybe my eardrums were already shot from the previous game, but the roar for the AAAAA contest between Gallup and Las Cruces was almost deafening at times. I always knew about the passion of Gallup's fandom, but Thursday put it in a new perspective. The student body hoarded both student sections. and the rest of the crowd was just as boisterous. I wish the Bengals had won. It would have been an even greater experience to see the two fan bases go at it for a second day in a row.
3. Sorry, Elk fans. I really thought that this was the time your boys basketball team would break that nasty streak, which now ... well, for the sake of Joey Trujillo, I won't add to the pain. And I feel bad for him. The man won his state title last year and should have been able to bask in the glory of it. Instead, all he has heard is, "Yeah, but you didn't beat St. Michael's ... "
A state title is a state title and he is part of a select group of coaches. It sets him apart from most of his peers and shows that he is an accomplished and excellent coach. One rivalry should not take away from that. Congrats on a good season, coach. See you in November, if not sooner.
4. Las Vegas Robertson will beat Portales in Thursday morning's AAA girls semifinal. The Lady Cardinals are deep in the post with Kassandra Tapia and Brooke Knezevich. Daniella Montoya is a strong leader as a point guard. They have the talent to give Pojoaque, the top seed in AAA, fits. All of which should worry Lady Rams head coach Clay Stout.
5. St. Michael's will stay close to the Pojoaque Elkettes, but unless they are uncharacteristically out of sync or suffer from a poor shooting effort, the defending AAA champions will advance to the title game again. Don't blame head coach Martin Romero, Lady Horsemen faithful. The man has done a great job with a team that doesn't shoot very well, struggles with turning the ball over and, while a great collection of athletes, lacks the chemistry that Pojoaque does.
The Lady Horsemen wouldn't be here if not for Mr. Romero.
Enjoy Thursday.
Ciao.
The night session in The Pit and in the Santa Ana Star Center were phenomenal, in terms of action and the crowds. If you missed it, I am sorry to hear that. For those who were there, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
And while the hour is late, I cannot refrain from my duty to put the postscript on the evening.
1. I admit it: I have a man-crunch on Damian Segura. If I could be somebody else for one day, I would choose to be Albuquerque St. Pius X's head boys basketball coach. The man exudes cool. I mean, if he sweated, they would bottle it and sell it as a self-help aid for those of us who lack what he's got (which is a lot). If he sweated. The greatest moment I have ever witnessed in my six-plus years of covering state tournaments happened with a little more than 2 minutes to go in the Sartans' Class AAAA quarterfinal with Española Valley.
As he paced the sideline, he paused for a moment and made eye contact with me (or maybe it was NMPrep's publisher Kyle Henderson?). And then he cracked a quick smile at me (or us) before turning back to the game. This, while his team is trying to make a gallant comeback and continue for a four-peat. How can you not love that? I ate it up, and will never, ever forget that memory.
2. Move over, Sundevil fans. For all the pride you take in being one of the most supportive - and vocal - fan bases in the state, you have to take a back seat to Bengal Nation. Maybe my eardrums were already shot from the previous game, but the roar for the AAAAA contest between Gallup and Las Cruces was almost deafening at times. I always knew about the passion of Gallup's fandom, but Thursday put it in a new perspective. The student body hoarded both student sections. and the rest of the crowd was just as boisterous. I wish the Bengals had won. It would have been an even greater experience to see the two fan bases go at it for a second day in a row.
3. Sorry, Elk fans. I really thought that this was the time your boys basketball team would break that nasty streak, which now ... well, for the sake of Joey Trujillo, I won't add to the pain. And I feel bad for him. The man won his state title last year and should have been able to bask in the glory of it. Instead, all he has heard is, "Yeah, but you didn't beat St. Michael's ... "
A state title is a state title and he is part of a select group of coaches. It sets him apart from most of his peers and shows that he is an accomplished and excellent coach. One rivalry should not take away from that. Congrats on a good season, coach. See you in November, if not sooner.
4. Las Vegas Robertson will beat Portales in Thursday morning's AAA girls semifinal. The Lady Cardinals are deep in the post with Kassandra Tapia and Brooke Knezevich. Daniella Montoya is a strong leader as a point guard. They have the talent to give Pojoaque, the top seed in AAA, fits. All of which should worry Lady Rams head coach Clay Stout.
5. St. Michael's will stay close to the Pojoaque Elkettes, but unless they are uncharacteristically out of sync or suffer from a poor shooting effort, the defending AAA champions will advance to the title game again. Don't blame head coach Martin Romero, Lady Horsemen faithful. The man has done a great job with a team that doesn't shoot very well, struggles with turning the ball over and, while a great collection of athletes, lacks the chemistry that Pojoaque does.
The Lady Horsemen wouldn't be here if not for Mr. Romero.
Enjoy Thursday.
Ciao.
Updates for those who haven't heard yet ...
The Class AAA quarterfinal between St. Michael's and Pojoaque went to ...
St. Michael's, 56-54.
The second-seeded Horsemen play No. 3 Portales at 1:15 p.m. on Friday.
In Class AA,
Pecos put up a fight, but lost to No. 2 Santa Rosa, 61-58, in the quarterfinals. So instead of an All-North semifinal matchup with Mesa Vista, the Trojans will try to break the hex that the Lions have over them. Santa Rosa beat the Trojans in the AA quarters last year and again in the Tularosa tournament in December.
St. Michael's, 56-54.
The second-seeded Horsemen play No. 3 Portales at 1:15 p.m. on Friday.
In Class AA,
Pecos put up a fight, but lost to No. 2 Santa Rosa, 61-58, in the quarterfinals. So instead of an All-North semifinal matchup with Mesa Vista, the Trojans will try to break the hex that the Lions have over them. Santa Rosa beat the Trojans in the AA quarters last year and again in the Tularosa tournament in December.
Class AAAA quarterfinal: No. 1 Española Valley vs. No. 8 Albuquerque St. Pius X
About 12,000 are in The Pit right now and already the Española crowd is into it. The player introductions are beginning and the crowd has come to life for the Sundevils.
Here we go.
First quarter
Both teams have come out firing here in the first quarter. Matthew Brito needed all of 10 seconds to hoist up a 3 to give the Sundevils a 3-0 lead. St. Pius hit its first four shots, and took a 17-11 lead with 2:04 left.
Española charged back, though, by scoring the last four points of the quarter.
St. Pius 17, Española 15.
Second quarter
Fouls are becoming a problem for the Sundevils. Brito picked up his second at the 4:05 mark, then Donovan Maldonado gets No. 2 at 2:57. The Sartans build the lead up to 28-23 at one point before a 4-0 run gets Española to within 28-27 at the half.
In Class AA, Pecos is trailing 30-22 to Santa Rosa at the half.
Third quarter
The Sundevils explode to start the third. Brito hits a spinning layup, then dishes to Gabe Rodriguez for two and then tips in Ray Romero's miss off of a steal.
It is 34-28, Española, 5:08 to go.
Free throws, free throws, free throws. The Sartans are getting to the foul line, but failing to convert. They missed three straight freebies. Brito is playing out of his mind, scoring eight points in the quarter.
Española 40, St. Pius 34.
Fourth quarter
Matthew Brito will not let the Sundevils lose. He nailed a 16-foot fadeaway to give Española a 44-39 lead with 5:51 left. He now has 17 points.
Timeout, Española. 5:10 left.
The Sartans come back, as Calvin Farmer grabs an airball and puts it back in. Timeout, Pius.
46-41, Sundevils.
Brito does it again. He drives from the wing and hits a 10-foot runner off the glass for 48-41. Here comes Pius, though. Ryan Myers hits a layup then comes a Sartans steal and Myers is fouled on a drive. He hits two freebies. 48-45, 3:31 to go.
An Alvarado layup makes it 50-45, but Pius scores six straight points. The last coming on a drive by Jacob Garcia with 1:25 to go. Before that Ray Romero missed a wide-open layup. Shades of 2008?
Myers loses the ball to Ray Romero with 39.1 seconds to go. Both teams trade time outs.
51-50, St. Pius. 25.8 seconds left.
It's up to Brito and he is fouled on the drive, but misses the layup. He hits the free throws with :18.2 to go. St. Pius uses its last timeout.
Both teams are in the bonus, but the Sartans are in the double bonus. 10.7 to go.
Española 52, St. Pius 51.
Maldonado steals the ball! Intentional foul on Josh Lujan for St. Pius. Maldonado misses two!
Brito fouled, and hits two.
54-51, Española
The Sundevils nearly steal the ball twice in the final 7.8 seconds, but the Sartans hang on to it.
Calvin Farmer's 3 is off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
Española 54, St. Pius 51.
The Sundevils move on to play Artesia in the AAAA semifinals.
Here we go.
First quarter
Both teams have come out firing here in the first quarter. Matthew Brito needed all of 10 seconds to hoist up a 3 to give the Sundevils a 3-0 lead. St. Pius hit its first four shots, and took a 17-11 lead with 2:04 left.
Española charged back, though, by scoring the last four points of the quarter.
St. Pius 17, Española 15.
Second quarter
Fouls are becoming a problem for the Sundevils. Brito picked up his second at the 4:05 mark, then Donovan Maldonado gets No. 2 at 2:57. The Sartans build the lead up to 28-23 at one point before a 4-0 run gets Española to within 28-27 at the half.
In Class AA, Pecos is trailing 30-22 to Santa Rosa at the half.
Third quarter
The Sundevils explode to start the third. Brito hits a spinning layup, then dishes to Gabe Rodriguez for two and then tips in Ray Romero's miss off of a steal.
It is 34-28, Española, 5:08 to go.
Free throws, free throws, free throws. The Sartans are getting to the foul line, but failing to convert. They missed three straight freebies. Brito is playing out of his mind, scoring eight points in the quarter.
Española 40, St. Pius 34.
Fourth quarter
Matthew Brito will not let the Sundevils lose. He nailed a 16-foot fadeaway to give Española a 44-39 lead with 5:51 left. He now has 17 points.
Timeout, Española. 5:10 left.
The Sartans come back, as Calvin Farmer grabs an airball and puts it back in. Timeout, Pius.
46-41, Sundevils.
Brito does it again. He drives from the wing and hits a 10-foot runner off the glass for 48-41. Here comes Pius, though. Ryan Myers hits a layup then comes a Sartans steal and Myers is fouled on a drive. He hits two freebies. 48-45, 3:31 to go.
An Alvarado layup makes it 50-45, but Pius scores six straight points. The last coming on a drive by Jacob Garcia with 1:25 to go. Before that Ray Romero missed a wide-open layup. Shades of 2008?
Myers loses the ball to Ray Romero with 39.1 seconds to go. Both teams trade time outs.
51-50, St. Pius. 25.8 seconds left.
It's up to Brito and he is fouled on the drive, but misses the layup. He hits the free throws with :18.2 to go. St. Pius uses its last timeout.
Both teams are in the bonus, but the Sartans are in the double bonus. 10.7 to go.
Española 52, St. Pius 51.
Maldonado steals the ball! Intentional foul on Josh Lujan for St. Pius. Maldonado misses two!
Brito fouled, and hits two.
54-51, Española
The Sundevils nearly steal the ball twice in the final 7.8 seconds, but the Sartans hang on to it.
Calvin Farmer's 3 is off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
Española 54, St. Pius 51.
The Sundevils move on to play Artesia in the AAAA semifinals.
More boys updates
Class AAA quarterfinals:
No. 1 Albuquerque Hope Christian 84, Santa Fe Indian School 50
No. 4 Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory 56, No 12 West Las Vegas 48
No. 1 Albuquerque Hope Christian 84, Santa Fe Indian School 50
No. 4 Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory 56, No 12 West Las Vegas 48
Class AAA quarterfinal: No. 9 SFIS-No. 1 Albuquerque Hope Christian
Too much Hope is a bad thing for the Braves. SFIS had the score tied at 17 after a quarter, but the Huskies have dominated the second to the tune of an 18-5 run to take a 35-22 lead with just 2:44 left in the first half.
Class AA quarterfinal
The Mesa Vista Trojans, the third seed in AA, advance to the semifinals with a 74-68 win over No. 6 Reoboth Christian. They will play the winner between No. 7 Pecos and No. 2 Santa Rosa at 6:30 p.m.
Also, the final for the Artesia-Los Alamos game was 69-58. The Bulldogs play the winner of No. 8 Albuquerque St. Pius X and No. 1 Española Valley.
Also, the final for the Artesia-Los Alamos game was 69-58. The Bulldogs play the winner of No. 8 Albuquerque St. Pius X and No. 1 Española Valley.
Class AAAA quarterfinal: No. 5 Los Alamos vs. No. 4 Artesia
Wake up, Hilltoppers.
Los Alamos looks lethargic, much like West Las Vegas girls did during the 11:30 a.m. game on Tuesday. Kirk is admonishing his kids to move!
Ike Montoya already has five points for Artesia,
Bulldogs 13, Los Alamos 5
Halftime
Bulldogs 35, Hilltoppers 17
Brutal.
That's the only way to describe the first half. Los Alamos looked out of sync, intimidated and lost as times on the court. Outside of Alex Kirk's 12 points, the Hilltopppers had only a Doug Hardy jumper and a Jack Russell 3-pointer.
Los Alamos also didn't seem to be aware of the offensive prowess of Artesia forwards Dallas Bollema and Derek Montoya. The duo has combined for 24 points, eight rebounds and Bollema even had a block of ... Kirk!
An aside, the stands are slowly filling up with Española Valley fans. By my count before the start of this game, 30 Sundevil fans were present in the crowd. Te rest of the state better hurry and grab a seat ...
End of third
Artesia 47, Los Alamos 38
The 'Toppers came alive to start the third quarter. They went on a 9-0 run to get to within 38-30 and hit six of their first seven shots. Since then, the teams have traded baskets.
Fourth quarter, 1:12 left
Artesia 67, Los Alamos 55
The comeback has stalled. Derek Montoya and Dallas Bollema have been too tough to stop in the paint. The duo has scored the last nine points for the Bulldogs.
Los Alamos looks lethargic, much like West Las Vegas girls did during the 11:30 a.m. game on Tuesday. Kirk is admonishing his kids to move!
Ike Montoya already has five points for Artesia,
Bulldogs 13, Los Alamos 5
Halftime
Bulldogs 35, Hilltoppers 17
Brutal.
That's the only way to describe the first half. Los Alamos looked out of sync, intimidated and lost as times on the court. Outside of Alex Kirk's 12 points, the Hilltopppers had only a Doug Hardy jumper and a Jack Russell 3-pointer.
Los Alamos also didn't seem to be aware of the offensive prowess of Artesia forwards Dallas Bollema and Derek Montoya. The duo has combined for 24 points, eight rebounds and Bollema even had a block of ... Kirk!
An aside, the stands are slowly filling up with Española Valley fans. By my count before the start of this game, 30 Sundevil fans were present in the crowd. Te rest of the state better hurry and grab a seat ...
End of third
Artesia 47, Los Alamos 38
The 'Toppers came alive to start the third quarter. They went on a 9-0 run to get to within 38-30 and hit six of their first seven shots. Since then, the teams have traded baskets.
Fourth quarter, 1:12 left
Artesia 67, Los Alamos 55
The comeback has stalled. Derek Montoya and Dallas Bollema have been too tough to stop in the paint. The duo has scored the last nine points for the Bulldogs.
Mar 10, 2009
Postscript to Day 1
For those who might have been waiting for an update to Pojoaque-Socorro, I do apologize. But even the best of us finally hit a brick wall - even in our creativeness. So as I watch the work crews begin to clean up the mess that the thousands of fans left beginning well before 8 a.m. and continued to mount throughout the day, all I can say is that it's a pleasure to see Day One in the review-view mirror.
But before I shut the door on this day, a few thoughts:
1. The only team that can beat the Pojoaque Elkettes are ... the Pojoaque Elkettes. Not that other teams won't be able to keep the score close, but Pojoaque has an intangible that few other teams have. I saw it with Capital in 2004, Deming in 2005, St. Michael's in 2006 and Hobbs in 2008. There is simply a will that drives that team collectively to win. And the chemistry each displayed took them to another level that most good teams reach for a half, a game or even a week or two. yet they do it daily, weekly, monthly.
2. The AAA committee overestimated the strength in the other four districts. That's easy to say that now after seeing all five 2AAA teams make it to Albuquerque, and after three reached the semifinals. But I thought this after the seedings came out. In fact, I predicted all five would win. Sometimes, it's better to recognize dominance than to simply parcel out fairness for the sake of the rest of the class. If the bracket was played 10 times, I'd say 2AAA repeats its performance seven times.
3. It would be sad to see Mark Cassidy leave Mora, because he has built the program into one of the best in the state. He's hit some raw nerves with the community, but it's only because
of the usual petty jealousies that occur over playing time, starting spots or just personality conflicts. If not for him, Mora would be a second-class program hiding in the shadows of Peñasco, Pecos and McCurdy School. Hell, it would be a lot closer to Santa Fe Prep's status than it would be Pecos'.
4. Wednesday will provide some shockers. And here's what I see:
– Pojoaque will finally beat St. Michael's. Maybe it's the 12 hours holed up in The Pit, but at some point the breaks will finally go the Elks' way. And what better place in a new environment upon which the rivalry has not broken ground. Sorry, Horsemen fans.
– Oñate will advance past Highland. What?? Yes, I said it. Remember, this is Highland's first experience in The Pit. And that the first game in The Pit can be the hardest one because of the excitement and atmosphere that comes with it. It's sensory overload at its worst. And that just gives an underdog more of an advantage. It's why a school like Gallup two years ago could almost beat Hobbs when it was seeded No. 2. It's why Alamogordo and Valley managed to make spirited runs in 2006 and face each other in the least like semifinal matchup in seeding history (8-vs.-12). The teams that they beat to get there (No. 1 Mayfield for Valley, No. 4 Rio Rancho for Alamogordo) were making their first Pit encounter. Those factors just tell me that something like this will happen, and that matchup is ripe for the plucking.
– Española will end St. Pius X's reign. This was a hard one. It's hard to pick against the Sartans because of their knack for winning big games, but something tells me that the Sundevils, with their depth, just can't lose. At least not in this round. And maybe not even the semis. If they face Academy in the championship, it's a toss-up.
Hope to see some of you around The Pit tomorrow. And if you want to make fun of me for my pics, please do. Chances are I won't even realize it. The beginning of State Tournament Dementia (STD ... I know. It's contagious and can be spread in any form) has begun.
Cheers.
But before I shut the door on this day, a few thoughts:
1. The only team that can beat the Pojoaque Elkettes are ... the Pojoaque Elkettes. Not that other teams won't be able to keep the score close, but Pojoaque has an intangible that few other teams have. I saw it with Capital in 2004, Deming in 2005, St. Michael's in 2006 and Hobbs in 2008. There is simply a will that drives that team collectively to win. And the chemistry each displayed took them to another level that most good teams reach for a half, a game or even a week or two. yet they do it daily, weekly, monthly.
2. The AAA committee overestimated the strength in the other four districts. That's easy to say that now after seeing all five 2AAA teams make it to Albuquerque, and after three reached the semifinals. But I thought this after the seedings came out. In fact, I predicted all five would win. Sometimes, it's better to recognize dominance than to simply parcel out fairness for the sake of the rest of the class. If the bracket was played 10 times, I'd say 2AAA repeats its performance seven times.
3. It would be sad to see Mark Cassidy leave Mora, because he has built the program into one of the best in the state. He's hit some raw nerves with the community, but it's only because
of the usual petty jealousies that occur over playing time, starting spots or just personality conflicts. If not for him, Mora would be a second-class program hiding in the shadows of Peñasco, Pecos and McCurdy School. Hell, it would be a lot closer to Santa Fe Prep's status than it would be Pecos'.
4. Wednesday will provide some shockers. And here's what I see:
– Pojoaque will finally beat St. Michael's. Maybe it's the 12 hours holed up in The Pit, but at some point the breaks will finally go the Elks' way. And what better place in a new environment upon which the rivalry has not broken ground. Sorry, Horsemen fans.
– Oñate will advance past Highland. What?? Yes, I said it. Remember, this is Highland's first experience in The Pit. And that the first game in The Pit can be the hardest one because of the excitement and atmosphere that comes with it. It's sensory overload at its worst. And that just gives an underdog more of an advantage. It's why a school like Gallup two years ago could almost beat Hobbs when it was seeded No. 2. It's why Alamogordo and Valley managed to make spirited runs in 2006 and face each other in the least like semifinal matchup in seeding history (8-vs.-12). The teams that they beat to get there (No. 1 Mayfield for Valley, No. 4 Rio Rancho for Alamogordo) were making their first Pit encounter. Those factors just tell me that something like this will happen, and that matchup is ripe for the plucking.
– Española will end St. Pius X's reign. This was a hard one. It's hard to pick against the Sartans because of their knack for winning big games, but something tells me that the Sundevils, with their depth, just can't lose. At least not in this round. And maybe not even the semis. If they face Academy in the championship, it's a toss-up.
Hope to see some of you around The Pit tomorrow. And if you want to make fun of me for my pics, please do. Chances are I won't even realize it. The beginning of State Tournament Dementia (STD ... I know. It's contagious and can be spread in any form) has begun.
Cheers.
Class AAA quarterfinals: No. 12 SFIS vs. No. 4 St. Michael's
Halftime:
St. Michael's 25, SFIS 23.
The Braves held a 23-19 lead on Jenine Coriz's layup with 1:56 to go, but the Lady Horsemen went on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. St. Michael's 6-foot-3 post Sarah Hattis might be having a breakout game, as she scored nine first-half points. Both teams have slugged it out in the post. Mariah Elote had eight points, while April Johnston score 10, which included a pair of 3-pointers.
But she also picked up her third foul with :16.8 seconds left.
End of third
St. Michael's 32, SFIS 31.
The game has taken a much more defensive tone in the third, with SFIS outscoring the Lady Horsemen 8-7. Jenine Coriz exploded for six points and helped get St. Michael's guard Kayle Herrera three quick fouls ...
Start of fourth
St. Michael's 36, SFIS 31
The Lady Horsemen score on two quick baskets from Alexa Chavez and Mariah Gonzales. SFIS calls a timeout with 7:10 to go.
The Lady Braves finally get on the scoreboard after a 4:20 drought on April Johnston's two free throws, but then Tamara Quintana answered with a 3 and Coriz hit a spinning layup for 41-35. 5:23 to go.
A crazy sequence where both teams missed four straight transition baskets before Tiffany Sullivan hit an 11-footer for 41-37 at 4:09.
SFIS strikes back. A Miranda Medina putback is followed by a foul on Coriz, and she hits two for a 41-41 tie. 2:43 to go.
Jenna Osuna answers for St. Michael's. A 16-footer and two free throws makes it 45-41 with less than 2 minutes left.
Sullivan hits one of two free throws, but Kayla Herrera snakes the baseline for a floater and 47-42. SFIS misses and St. Michael's rebounds. Martin Romero calls timeout with 39.9 to go.
The Lady Braves are forced to chase and foul Tamara Quintana and Chavez with :25.7
to go. 47-42 still.
Chavez misses a free throw.
Sullivan gets fouled on a drive and hits two.
Jamie Velasquez misses a one and one and Coriz fires a last second 3 fro the tie that hits iron but nothing else.
St. Michael's 47, SFIS 44.
St. Michael's 25, SFIS 23.
The Braves held a 23-19 lead on Jenine Coriz's layup with 1:56 to go, but the Lady Horsemen went on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. St. Michael's 6-foot-3 post Sarah Hattis might be having a breakout game, as she scored nine first-half points. Both teams have slugged it out in the post. Mariah Elote had eight points, while April Johnston score 10, which included a pair of 3-pointers.
But she also picked up her third foul with :16.8 seconds left.
End of third
St. Michael's 32, SFIS 31.
The game has taken a much more defensive tone in the third, with SFIS outscoring the Lady Horsemen 8-7. Jenine Coriz exploded for six points and helped get St. Michael's guard Kayle Herrera three quick fouls ...
Start of fourth
St. Michael's 36, SFIS 31
The Lady Horsemen score on two quick baskets from Alexa Chavez and Mariah Gonzales. SFIS calls a timeout with 7:10 to go.
The Lady Braves finally get on the scoreboard after a 4:20 drought on April Johnston's two free throws, but then Tamara Quintana answered with a 3 and Coriz hit a spinning layup for 41-35. 5:23 to go.
A crazy sequence where both teams missed four straight transition baskets before Tiffany Sullivan hit an 11-footer for 41-37 at 4:09.
SFIS strikes back. A Miranda Medina putback is followed by a foul on Coriz, and she hits two for a 41-41 tie. 2:43 to go.
Jenna Osuna answers for St. Michael's. A 16-footer and two free throws makes it 45-41 with less than 2 minutes left.
Sullivan hits one of two free throws, but Kayla Herrera snakes the baseline for a floater and 47-42. SFIS misses and St. Michael's rebounds. Martin Romero calls timeout with 39.9 to go.
The Lady Braves are forced to chase and foul Tamara Quintana and Chavez with :25.7
to go. 47-42 still.
Chavez misses a free throw.
Sullivan gets fouled on a drive and hits two.
Jamie Velasquez misses a one and one and Coriz fires a last second 3 fro the tie that hits iron but nothing else.
St. Michael's 47, SFIS 44.
Class AAA quarterfinal: No. 2 Portales 52, No. 7 West Las Vegas 30
The Lady Rams will play Las Vegas Robertson in the AAA semifinals at 8 a.m. on Thursday in The Pit.
Wests Las Vegas finishes with a 21-11 record, and was the District 2AAA Tournament runner up.
The next games of signifcance will take place at 3 p.m.
In AAA:
No. 12 Santa Fe Indian School vs. No. 4 St. Michael's
In AA:
No. 8 Peñasco vs. No. 1 Texico.
Stay tuned for more information on both games.
Wests Las Vegas finishes with a 21-11 record, and was the District 2AAA Tournament runner up.
The next games of signifcance will take place at 3 p.m.
In AAA:
No. 12 Santa Fe Indian School vs. No. 4 St. Michael's
In AA:
No. 8 Peñasco vs. No. 1 Texico.
Stay tuned for more information on both games.
Update: Class AAA State Tournament ...
It's the 5:38 mark, and the Portales Lady Rams have extended a 21-15 halftime lead to 26-15. West Las Vegas has looked lethargic, outside of a 3-minute stretch in the second quarter when it cut an 18-9 deficit to 18-14. Since then, Portales has gone on a 8-1 run.
Make it 9-1 as Portales hits a free throw for 27-15 advantage with 4:47 to go ...
End of third quarter.
West Las Vegas now trails 34-23. Miranda Martinez is carrying the Lady Dons on her 5-foot-5 frame right now. She scored seven points on the strength of two 3-pointers. But the rest of her teammates have been nonexistent. They've struggled against the Lady Rams' man-to-man defense and just look out of sync.
Timeout, West.
Still trailing 38-25. Portales turned the ball over three straight times, but the Lady Dons are ice cold. They are shooting at a 25-percent clip ...
It's pretty much over with now. The Lady Rams are up 44-27 with the help of free throws from Dallas Russell and Tara Johnson. The dream of an All-District 2AAA semifinals can be extinguished.
One note of importance: Wests Las Vegas loses one starter - Kristen Encinias - and just two seniors from the roster. Miranda Martinez will be a junior, and Linda Esquibel will be a senior. This is a team that, with another summer of work, should be the favorite in 2AAA and one of the favorites to take it all in AAA.
The score is now Portales 50, West Las Vegas 27 with less than 2 minutes to go. Encinias leaves the floor for the final time in tears, then slams her fists onto a chair in a sad ending to her prep career.
West Las Vegas will finish with a 21-11 record.
Make it 9-1 as Portales hits a free throw for 27-15 advantage with 4:47 to go ...
End of third quarter.
West Las Vegas now trails 34-23. Miranda Martinez is carrying the Lady Dons on her 5-foot-5 frame right now. She scored seven points on the strength of two 3-pointers. But the rest of her teammates have been nonexistent. They've struggled against the Lady Rams' man-to-man defense and just look out of sync.
Timeout, West.
Still trailing 38-25. Portales turned the ball over three straight times, but the Lady Dons are ice cold. They are shooting at a 25-percent clip ...
It's pretty much over with now. The Lady Rams are up 44-27 with the help of free throws from Dallas Russell and Tara Johnson. The dream of an All-District 2AAA semifinals can be extinguished.
One note of importance: Wests Las Vegas loses one starter - Kristen Encinias - and just two seniors from the roster. Miranda Martinez will be a junior, and Linda Esquibel will be a senior. This is a team that, with another summer of work, should be the favorite in 2AAA and one of the favorites to take it all in AAA.
The score is now Portales 50, West Las Vegas 27 with less than 2 minutes to go. Encinias leaves the floor for the final time in tears, then slams her fists onto a chair in a sad ending to her prep career.
West Las Vegas will finish with a 21-11 record.
Upset No. 2 is in ... From Class AA girls ...
The fourth-seeded Mora Rangerettes were upset by No. 5 Lordsburg Lady Mavericks 70-66 in the opening AA quarterfinal in the Santa Ana Star Center. Lordsburg moves on to the AA semifinals, where it face the winner between No. 1 Texico and No. 8 Peñasco, which starts at 3 p.m.
Mora, the District 4AA champion, finishes its season at 22-7.
Mora, the District 4AA champion, finishes its season at 22-7.
First upset of the day ...
And it is brought to you by the Las vegas Robertson Lady Cardinals. Robertson, the 11th seed in the Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament, beats No. 3 Lovington 65-55 in the opening game in The Pit.
The Lady Cardinals play the winner of No. 7 West Las Vegas and No. 2 Portales, the 11:30 a.m. game today.
Check in tomorrow for Pancho Morris' story on Robertson's upset.
The Lady Cardinals play the winner of No. 7 West Las Vegas and No. 2 Portales, the 11:30 a.m. game today.
Check in tomorrow for Pancho Morris' story on Robertson's upset.
Mar 9, 2009
Blogging in Albuquerque ...
If you care to know where I'll be for the next five days, I can pretty much tell you to look for me in two places.
The Pit in Albuquerque.
The Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
The most exciting part of the year is now upon us.
Starting tomorrow, the girls state tournament will begin in Albuquerque.
Of course, the New Mexican will be there to provide coverage from the opening tip (literally, the Las Vegas Robertson girls kick off the festivities at 8 a.m.) to the final buzzer (or almost, the AAAA finale ends at about 6 p.m.).
With that in mind, the New Mexican will unveil (or in the words of Henry Lopez, our Web Editor, "drop") it's state tournament page with as much information as we can put on it.
It will include message forums for fans to chat on, updates of games and stories that ran in the day's section.
You will need to register to participate in some of the functions, but is to better ensure a civilized - and fun - time for all involved.
Even me.
So enjoy.
The Pit in Albuquerque.
The Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
The most exciting part of the year is now upon us.
Starting tomorrow, the girls state tournament will begin in Albuquerque.
Of course, the New Mexican will be there to provide coverage from the opening tip (literally, the Las Vegas Robertson girls kick off the festivities at 8 a.m.) to the final buzzer (or almost, the AAAA finale ends at about 6 p.m.).
With that in mind, the New Mexican will unveil (or in the words of Henry Lopez, our Web Editor, "drop") it's state tournament page with as much information as we can put on it.
It will include message forums for fans to chat on, updates of games and stories that ran in the day's section.
You will need to register to participate in some of the functions, but is to better ensure a civilized - and fun - time for all involved.
Even me.
So enjoy.
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