The Española Valley Lady Sundevils haven’t opened a basketball season with a victory in five years, probably because they keep facing the same opponent: the Santa Fe Indian School Lady Braves. This year was no different from the previous four, as the Braves beat Española 64-53 Nov. 23 in Santa Fe.
The last time the Sundevils beat the Braves was in Española’s opening game of the 2004-05 season.
“Some schools like to start their season playing cupcakes,” Española coach Ron Drake said. “We don’t, so it’s always a tough game.”
The Braves never trailed in the game, and the score was tied just once at 13-13 in the first quarter. However, the Sundevils never let the Braves gain a comfortable lead.
“What makes (Santa Fe Indian School) so good is they have an inside-outside game,” Drake said. “We hung in with them pretty good.”
The Braves’ outside game consists of sisters Jenine and Justina Coriz. Jenine Coriz, a junior, poured in 18 points, and Justina Coriz, a sophomore, added 11, including three three-pointers. The inside includes a pair of 5-foot-10-inch posts in Miranda Medina and Christina Yepa, along with 6-foot Lakeshia Padilla. That trio scored 10 points apiece against a Sundevil team whose tallest player is only 5 feet, 8 inches tall.
“This may be one of the best teams I’ve ever coached,” Braves’ coach Cindy Roybal said.
The Sundevils countered with their guards. Seniors Nisa Duran and Melanie Vigil each scored 15 points, while sophomore Justina Vigil added 11 points.
Despite keeping the score close early, Duran and forward Desiree Howie each picked up two quick fouls. Duran stayed on the bench in the second quarter and the Braves extended its lead to 15 points midway through the second quarter. A three-pointer by Vigil cut the lead to 10 points, but Justina Coriz buried a three-pointer to give the Braves a 38-25 halftime lead.
The Sundevils narrowed the score to 46-38 in the third quarter. Española had a chance to cut the lead to six points, but Duran missed a breakaway layup, and Justina Coriz promptly buried a three-pointer at the other end. The Braves finished the third quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 53-38 lead.
With 1:30 left in the game the Sundevils got to within 10 points of the Braves, but couldn’t score again, and the Braves claimed an 11-point victory.