As a lifelong Sundevil fan and graduate of Española Valley High School, it was heart-breaking to be in the Pit and witness the outcome of the state semifinal game against Artesia. One can only congratulate the players for playing their hearts out and leaving everything they had on the court, and that is all fans can ask for.
However, the same cannot be said of coach Richard Martinez. His tactics of stalling the ball is what lost the game for Española. When the opposing team hopes that you resort to this strategy, so that they have a better chance of winning, it should be a hint that stalling isn’t the best idea.
In coaching it is said a team must go with what got them there in order to win. There were many instances when the lane opened up for easy layups, but coach Martinez wouldn’t allow them to shoot.
All year long the Sundevils were a running team, beating teams with a tenacious defense and scoring at will, driving to the basket and shooting from the outside. Why give this up with three minutes remaining and the opposition on the ropes?
It is time that a new coach, with the knowledge of how to put a team away, and who can lead these young men to victory on the court and in the classroom takeover. Because it is obvious that Richard Martinez and his brothers can’t accomplish either one.
Daniel Martinez
Española