Capacity crowds, state championship fever and some fine individual performances highlighted the 2008 high school sports year. More excitement could be in store this year.
The highlight of 2008 would have to be the remarkable run of the Española Valley Sundevils boys basketball team. That is, of course, unless your are a Pojoaque fan. The Elks and the Elkettes pulled off a sweep of both the boys and girls Class AAA state championships in basketball.
Still, in terms of excitement generated and fans involved, the Sundevils stole the show. With their 28-game winning streak and capacity crowds filling the Sundevils’ gym, Española heated up things like no other team and drew huge crowds to the Pit.
This season, the Sundevils are once again contenders for the state title. Española is 10-1 and has a packed 2009 predistrict schedule. Española will face Hope Christian and St. Michaels and Albuquerque High School in the next couple of weeks before hosting the Hobbs Eagles, the defending Class AAAAA state champions, Jan. 24.
This year’s team has a different character than last year’s. There is less inside scoring with the graduation of Mike Torrez. Instead Sundevil guards Matt Brito and Donovan Maldonado are filling up the scorecard.
What really characterizes this year’s Sundevils is their swarming defense. A bunch of new and hungry faces hustle all over the court for the Sundevils on defense. Combined with its deadly perimeter shooting, Española is again providing thrills for its dedicated fans.
Defense is what’s powering the Española girls basketball team’s resurgence. Without a player over taller than 5 foot, 8 inches, the pesky Sundevils press on defense and create turnovers. They have manhandled future District 2AAAA opponents Taos and Capital in the predistrict schedule, and the only roadblock to the Sundevils winning the district title could be Los Alamos.
As usual, the Lady Hilltoppers will have a height advantage over Española. The biggest thing, however, that I think Española must overcome against the Hilltoppers is mental. They never seem to play with confidence against Los Alamos, especially when playing up on the Hill.
The Pojoaque Elkettes are dominating their competition so far this season. The Elkettes lost just senior post Andrea Cruz to graduation from last year’s state championship team and have found a fine replacement for Cruz in senior transfer Jackie Bartleson. Pojoaque is 11-0 and playing with the confidence and composure of a champion.
There are some games that bear watching coming up for the Elkettes. The Española/Pojoaque matchup Jan. 13 at Pojoaque could be a real barnburner.
Santa Fe Indian School should also give the Elkettes a battle in District 2AAAA. With Cindy Roybal back at the helm for the Lady Braves, it should always be a battle when these two teams meet. As long as the Elkettes have premier point guard Ellen Cruz (Andrea’s sister) running the show, as well as defensive dynamo Dionna Montoya and steady senior Janelle Roybal, Pojoaque has to be considered a favorite to repeat as state champions.
The Pojoaque boys, by contrast, are still in the process of rebuilding after being gutted by graduation. The Elks lost four starters to graduation, including leading scorer Ryan Gonzalez. He was Pojoaque’s go to player and a leader on the floor. The Elks have not found anyone to fill that role this season.
Let’s not forget the Mesa Vista Trojans, which reeled off 20 consecutive wins to begin last season.
Seniors Jaime Cruz and Frankie Giron lead the Trojans and this is their last chance to bring a Class AA state title back to Mesa Vista.
The teams that give the Trojans trouble are the schools that also play football. Santa Rosa has strong, physical athletes and the Lions have had their way with Mesa Vista. Texico, the defending Class AA boys basketball state champion, is looking to add its second consecutive Class AA state championship in 2009 to go along with the Class AA state football championship it won in November.
Peñasco could also challenge Mesa Vista in District 3AA. The Panthers defeated Santa Rosa 68-60 Dec. 29 in Santa Rosa.
It looks like there will be a new champion in the District 3AA girls basketball championship race. Peñasco has dominated this district the last three years, but do not appear as strong this season. Watch for McCurdy with former Santa Fe Indian School coach Johnny Abeyta at the helm and the surprising Mesa Vista Lady Trojans to move up in this district.