The Mesa Vista Trojans boys basketball team stormed out of the gate and never let up March 6 in its 63-46 home victory over Escalante in the first round of the Class AA tournament.
The Lobos started in a zone defense, and the Trojans immediately smelled blood.
“Our plan was to start throwing knock-out punches right away and see if Escalante was going to throw any back,” Mesa Vista coach Thomas Vigil said.
Mesa Vista hit five three-pointers in the first quarter, jumping out to a 26-6 lead. The Trojans rarely let their lead slip below 20 points, riding their momentum and the energy of a rowdy home crowd for the rest of the game.
“In the first quarter we had everybody shooting,” Vigil said. “I think that was the most effective quarter we’ve had all season. Our outside shooting was superb, and after that we were able to loosen up and get into the flow of the game.”
Mesa Vista sophomore guard Sean Richardson, who hit two three-pointers as part of a 12-point effort, also gave credit to teamwork.
“We play a lot better when we’ve got 12 guys on the court,” Richardson said. “We might be an underdog, but we pull it out when we can all play all four quarters.”
Junior guard Erik Garcia led the Trojans with 15 points, and fellow junior Alejandro Lopez chipped in 11 points, including three three-pointers.
Escalante coach Milnor Manzanares sat at the end of the bench biting a towel in frustration for much of the game.
“It was a tough game,” Manzanares said. “Any time you lose, it puts you over the hump, but you always want to win that last one. I just feel bad for our seniors.”
Mesa Vista didn’t let up in the second half. They continued to light it up from long range and to force several turnovers.
And the crowd didn’t let up either. Despite the Trojans’ double-digit lead, Mesa Vista fans shouted when they disagreed with foul calls, and stomped on the bleachers and let loose on air horns when Escalante players toed the free-throw line.
“We have an unbelievable home crowd,” Vigil said. “The question at this point in the season is always how will the kids respond under the bright lights and the big crowds. And I think we did an amazing job and played a smart game throughout.”
Manzanares and Lobo players broke into tears after the game.
“I told them this was probably going to be my last game (as coach),” Manzanares said. “It’s always hard when you have to the tell the kids that. I hate to leave them, but it seems like it’s time for me to step aside.”
Escalante senior post player Jacob Flores, who is Manzanares’ grandson, reflected on the game and playing for Manzanares.
“We left it out there on the court and tried hard, and I think both teams played a good game,” Flores said. “It was always my goal to have (Manzanares) as my coach, but all good things come to an end.”
Sixth-seeded Mesa Vista faced third-seeded Tularosa in the Class AA quarterfinals Wednesday (3/10) at 11:45 a.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.
“We had a huge target on our back last year, but I think we’re in a unique position this year because we’re coming in under the radar,” Vigil said.