For the Mountain Mail
SOCORRO -- It was a heartbreaking end of the season for the Socorro boys basketball team as it lost at home to Bloomfield 68-66 in the first round of the 2010 New Mexico State Basketball Championship Tournament Saturday.
Socorro ended its season with a 13-14 record and a 7-0 district mark. Bloomfield (24-7, 9-3) advanced to play Hope Christian Tuesday.
“The boys showed a great effort out there,” said Socorro's Lawrence Baca, the district coach of the year. “ It was a great ballgame. Unfortunately, the ball didn't bounce our way a couple of times. They're a special bunch and great kids and I appreciate everything that they've done all year. It's hard to see a year end like this but it has to end with somebody on the losing end. Unfortunately, it was our turn tonight.”
Socorro's man-to-man defense helped to keep the game close in the final quarter. Socorro was without center Andrew Contreras, who fouled out at the 3:19 mark. Senior Kenneth Decosta scored help Socorro stay close, but still behind at 60-58.
Bloomfield extended their lead twice to five points, the last one coming on two free throws by Matthew Crockett with 1:13 remaining and a 65-60 lead.
Garcia nailed a three from the top of the key with :55 on the clock. Bloomfield added a free throw for a 66-63 lead. With :22 on the clock, Marquez then hit an off-balance three pointer from the left corner to tie the game. Coming down on the shot, Marquez's leg cramped up and he had to leave the game.
Bloomfield's Sabastian Russell put up a shot inside, which sophomore Rio Chadde blocked. Russell retrieved the ball and put it back in for a 68-66 lead.
Marquez returned for the final play of the game. With 10.3 seconds left, Socorro quickly brought the ball the full length of the court. Socorro got off two 3-point shots, but both fell short of the basket.
“I couldn't be more proud of the effort the kids put out there,” Baca said. “They played a heck of a ballgame. Hopefully, next year we can build on this one. And I enjoyed the heck out of myself this year and it's because of them. Hopefully, next year we'll move on and remember this feeling. It's been a great year.
Jared Marquez finished with a game high of 21 points. Erik Garcia had 13 points and Zach Esquivel had 11 points.
Bloomfield was led by Russell who had 19 points.
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