For the Mountain Mail
As the Socorro boys basketball team winds down the month of January, it finds itself on a four-game losing streak.
Socorro coach Lawrence Baca said the Warriors have some of the top teams in the state from 2A-5A. Last week’s matchups were no different. The Warriors battled top ranked and undefeated 2A Mesilla Valley and second ranked 3A Sandia Prep. Socorro fell to both teams 62-50 and 57-43 respectively.
Even with a 6-11 record, the Warriors are still respected among the other coaches in the state as they are ranked 10th in the latest KOB TV coaches poll.
Socorro will take on the Valencia Jaguars and former Warrior coach Dominic Romero on Friday night in the Warrior dome. The following day, the Warriors will battle I-25 rival Belen Eagles at home. On Feb. 2, Socorro will open up the “second” season as it takes on the Hot Springs Tigers in its first district game.
“Going into these two games, we are starting to play our best basketball and these two games are going to be a good indication that we are going to start to peak at the right time and we will start getting some wins,” Baca said.
Last Thursday, the Warriors looked to give the Son Blazers of Mesilla Valley their first loss of the season. In the first quarter, the Blazers (18-0) showed why they are undefeated, outscoring the Warriors 19-10.
The second quarter was a different story. Socorro began clicked on all cylinders and outscored the Blazers 21-7 to take a 31-26 halftime lead.
“At that time the kids realized that they can play with these guys,” Baca said bout his team leading at halftime. “We felt a little confident and realized we can play with anyone.”
The game remained close throughout the third quarter and the Warriors had a 44-38 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. That was before the Blazers caught fire outscoring the Warriors 24-10 in the fourth quarter to take the victory.
“We were a little frustrated because we were in these close games and weren’t coming out with any W’s,” Baca said after the game.
Zach Esquivel led the Warriors with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Jared Marquez followed with 11 points.
The following night, the Sun Devils from Sandia Prep came to town. According to the last KOB TV coaches poll, the Sundevils (11-6) were ranked second behind Hope Christian.
“Those guys looked like a college team didn’t they?” Baca told KMXQ after the game. Those in attendance would agree. Eight of the Sundevils players are listed as 6 feet tall or higher.
The Sundevils’ height and experience was just too much for the young and undersized Warriors. Sandia Prep took full advantage of the mismatches presented to them.
Even though the Warriors trailed 33-21 at halftime, they battled back. They outscored the Sundevils 14-13 in the third quarter to stay in the hunt. But Sandia Prep pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Erik Garcia led all Warriors with 11 points. Esquivel added eight points and seven rebounds.
“I think more and more when we are playing these close games against some of the top teams in the state and we are starting to realize what we need to do as we get closer to district and the state playoffs,” Baca said.
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The Sundบาคาร่าออนไลน์evils’ height and experience was just too much for the young and undersized Warriors. Sandia Prep took full advantage of the mismatches presenคาสิโนออนไลน์ted to them.
ReplyDeleteEven though the Warriors trailed 33-21 at halftime, they battled back. They outscored