The Trojans triumphed in the most recent edition of the long-running Coronado-Mesa Vista rivalry. Even though they no longer play in the same district, they still compete twice early in the season.
“The games are always going to be intense,” said Mesa Vista coach Richard Apodaca. “It’s a district game in some sense. These two teams have been playing for years and years and years. It’s never an easy game for either side.”
For small schools like those two, a basketball team can consist of about half of the available boys in the high school.
“That means that the other half is probably in the stands,” Apodaca said. “These kids drive or ride the bus for 45 minutes to an hour every day … just to get to practice. In a small school, when you win, everybody feels better.”
Led by 30 points from junior Jordan Cervantes, the Trojans (2-0) rallied after a slow start to win their season opener over Coronado (2-4), 61-53 on Nov. 30. Both teams look improved after slow seasons this spring, and could repeat in their respective districts.
“The first game always determines the momentum of the season,” Cervantes said. “We had that pressure in our head, and were ready to execute.”
The Trojans had a chance to start off the season at the Santa Fe High School scrimmages. Mesa Vista went 0-5, but played some of the top teams in the state, including Sante Fe, Taos and Los Alamos, and Apodaca said they competed well against much stronger competition.
Coronado had its starters as seniors Andrew Valdez and Anthony Jaramillo, juniors Gabe Candelaria and Elias Trujillo, and sophomore Marcos Martinez.
For Mesa Vista, eighth-grader Jordan Gallegos started at center, and figures to slot in for five years in Ojo Caliente. Joining him in the starting lineup were juniors Cervantes, Anjel Montoya and Brandon Sandoval, and freshman Kenny Gallegos. The only senior on the Trojans roster is forward Rick Garcia, who played limited minutes and did not score in the game. That youth points to a bright future for Mesa Vista.
“This is a young, young group,” Apodaca said. “This is huge for our confidence. They’re seeing the fruits of their labor.”
Cervantes put the first points on the board, but Martinez had a strong scoring run and Coronado took the early lead. Both teams started slow on offense, and the Leopards led 9-7 after the first quarter.
The second quarter provided more scoring as the teams stayed close, with Coronado still in the lead. In the final seconds, Kenny Gallegos drained a 3-pointer to give Mesa Vista its first lead since the opening minutes at 23-22.
In the third quarter, the Trojans came out with a renewed energy. They were pressing on defense, and looked like a far more aggressive team.
“We made some adjustments, we settled down,” Apodaca said. “We’ve got some good players, but we don’t have studs. But the reality is, if we’re in the right spots, our system really works.”
Mesa Vista scored the first five points of the second half, and led by 13 points. But Coronado came back, scoring eight straight points and renewing a close game by the end of the quarter.
But as foul trouble built on both teams, Mesa Vista was able to maintain their lead, and held on for the eight-point win.
“They want it just as bad as we do,” Cervantes said. “We’re both very competitive teams.”
Marcos Martinez scored 14 points for the Leopards, and Jaramillo added 13. Cervantes was the only Trojan in double figures, but three others scored at least eight points.
The Trojans beat Dulce on the road Dec. 4, 52-47, despite trailing for much of the game and by as many as 12 points. They then played Monte Del Sol Charter on Tuesday evening, and will next play at home against Cuba on Saturday.
The Leopards fell 55-46 to Dulce the following day, and on Dec. 4 came away with a 78-28 win over Tse’ Yi’ Gai. They played at Peñasco on Tuesday evening.
The two teams will rematch in Gallina on Dec. 14. Both are already just one win away from matching their total from last season — Mesa Vista was 3-9 and Coronado 3-5.