With 12 seconds remaining, Jayden Duran went to the line for two free throws in a tie game.
But the senior was confident.
“We put in too much work to lose games like that,” Duran said. “I’m confident in myself and my shot. So I already kind of figured it would go in.”
He hit both.
Clutch plays in the final minute, especially from two seniors, helped the Sundevils (7-12, 1-0 in district) take down Pojoaque (9-9, 0-1) 52-49 in a great game in Española on Tuesday. The Sundevils take the early lead in a district that figures to be competitive all the way through.
“We’re not satisfied, though,” Duran said. “We’ve still got seven games. We’re trying to go 8-0 in this district.”
Before Duran’s free throws, fellow senior Kevin Coffeen hit a pair of big baskets in the final 70 seconds, including one on a goaltend, keeping the Sundevils ahead. But Dalian Lopez answered with an old-fashioned 3-point play to tie the game.
“My teammates getting me open, good looks,” Coffeen said. “Just got to finish.”
After the Sundevils took the lead late, Pojoaque had a chance. But Joziah Salazar narrowly missed a contested 3-pointer, and it was sophomore Irvin Primero who was there for a big rebound.
A big crowd came out for the game, with supporters from both sides. But a big student section helped propel the Sundevils on their late-game run.
“That was the most electric crowd we had all season,” Duran remarked.
At the start of the game, both teams were playing at a fast pace, but shots were not falling. The two teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter, and the score stayed there for over three minutes into the second quarter. At halftime, Pojoaque led just 15-14.
“Two heavyweight fighters feeling each other out,” said Española coach Joey Trujillo. Trujillo said experience in close games throughout the season helped the Sundevils pull out the win.
But in the second half, the scoring picked up. The Sundevils scored 38 points in the second half, including 26 in the fourth quarter. Pojoaque led most of the way, but Española battled to keep the game close, never letting the lead get above six.
“The stops we had in the second half were key,” Duran said. “We’re built on never giving up, pushing through, and keep hitting shots.”
Matthew Lovato led the Sundevils with 16 points, including three 3-pointers from the big man. Duran scored all 13 of his points in the second half. Serafin Mendez led Pojoaque with 13.
Earlier in the night, the Española C team won 69-49 over Pojoaque, and Pojoaque won 49-46 in the junior varsity game when Joaquin Baca hit a late go-ahead shot.
Española will travel to Moriarty (5-9, 0-1) on Friday as they look to reach 2-0 in district. The Pintos lost Tuesday to Los Alamos.
“It’s going to be a dogfight every night,” Trujillo said. “There’s no easy games.”
Pojoaque next plays at Taos (7-11, 0-0) on Friday. They will rematch with Española on their home court on Feb. 9, a matchup to which they look forward.
“I’ve still got a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth,” Pojoaque coach Ryan Cordova said.