Last year, at times, Mesa Vista’s basketball roster was down to seven players, yet they made it work to a 19-9 record and state quarterfinal appearance.
Now, they enter the year with double-digit contributors, all of whom can make an impact on the court. They add more depth — letting the Lady Trojans play bigger or smaller lineups depending on opponents. The bench players can spell the starters, keeping everyone fresh through the full season.
“We actually get a break this time,” point guard Bella Boies said. “And we have a really deep bench. Anyone who goes in, it’s the same intensity.”
And they can step in and play if needed due to foul trouble, as happened during their season-opening win over Dulce (3-1). Many Trojans made a big impact in the game, as they started the year with a tightly fought 52-51 win over the Hawks on Dec. 3.
“I told the girls — you guys all have a target on our back,” Mesa Vista coach Jesse Boies said. “Everyone’s going to bring their best at us. Now we’ve got to rise to the occasion and be prepared every game to do our best.”
After their first scheduled game against Coronado was canceled due to injuries on the Leopards, Mesa Vista jumps straight into a schedule that looks to be one of the toughest in 2A, filled with bigger schools.
Amarissa Quintana led the Lady Trojans with 16 points, including two clutch fourth-quarter free throws, while Bella Boies added 12 — almost all in transition. Bailey Vigil scored 15 points for Dulce, with all but the last two coming on free throws.
Dulce scored first, and took a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, extending it early in the second. Through the first half, Mesa Vista struggled with foul trouble, while the Hawks shot 20 free throws in the half. Tana Lopez, last year’s leading scorer, picked up three fouls before halftime, with other starters grabbing multiple.
“We were a little bit rusty, but we got it going in the second quarter,” Bella Boies said. “Our energy did it for us. We just were more hyped up in the second half than we were in the first. We were cheering each other on from the bench and on the court.”
Dulce led by three at halftime. But Mesa Vista went on a big scoring run to end the third quarter with a 38-34 advantage. Another 8-3 run in the fourth quarter, after the game was tied, put them up 50-45.
With Mesa Vista up by one, the game took huge back-and-forths. After a travel, Shanae Silva stole the inbound. Mesa Vista missed a foul shot, but stole another pass. A second free-throw missed, but on the other end Dulce could not get a good look in the paint to fall. With one second left, Mesa Vista missed a third free throw, but Dulce did not have time for a final shot, and the Trojans won 52-51.
“We started the game with the jitters, and we ended the game with the jitters,” Jesse Boies said.
Mesa Vista had the same starters it had for much of last year: Bella Boies, Anna Peña, Lopez, Quintana and Brittni Suazo. But production off the bench from new players, especially Silva (eight points) provided extra depth.
“I could put all 12 in, and still feel that we’re alright,” Jesse Boies said. “I have girls that are coming off the bench that are my six, seven and eight that could have starting spots.”
After being down to seven players at times last year, Mesa Vista has double-digit players who can make an impact, and give rest time to the starters.
Dulce has looked strong through its first four games, winning three of them, including another win Monday over Questa (1-3) 47-37.
“Last year, we had a dogfight with them both games that we played them,” Jesse Boies said. “Dulce is a tough team. They’ll be there at the end.”
In the junior varsity game, the Lady Hawks won a tight battle 36-35 on last-minute free throws.