The McCurdy Bobcats started the season slow.
At 3-8 to start the year, McCurdy seemed to have taken a step back after finished second in district play the year before. But they found a new team identity as they entered district play, and now have won 10 of their last 12 games (only losing in that time to Escalante).
“Guys start to trust the system and trust each other,” McCurdy coach Ernesto Espinoza said. “This group is in a lot of new positions, a lot of guys having to step up. It took us a while to get together.”
McCurdy (15-13) defeated Mora (13-15) 47-40 at home on Thursday to advance in the district tournament, and they appear to be on the precipice of a state tournament berth. After the second half was closer than they wanted, the Bobcats pulled away at the end.
“All three games with Mora get like that,” Espinoza said. “So, we were kind of expecting that. They like to grind it out.”
The Bobcats advance to face Mesa Vista (15-11) in the district semifinal in Ojo Caliente on Friday.
“We’re enjoying this one for a couple moments,” senior Alejandro Martinez said. “Then focusing on Mesa tomorrow.”
The most recent MaxPreps rankings, updated before the game, had the Bobcats at 17th in 2A, but just below Mora, against whom McCurdy completed a season sweep.
McCurdy started with the first four points, then fell behind, but ended the first quarter up by four. In the second quarter, they trailed 19-18, but rattled off nine straight points to end the half.
In the third quarter, the Bobcats went up by 12 points, but then let up nine in a row to let the Rangers back within three. Sloppy play in the second half hampered McCurdy, but their defense held strong enough, and they made enough plays at the end to pull away the victory.
“We slowed down the momentum, we didn’t play to our full potential,” senior Jolen Montoya said.
“We’ve practiced real hard on that,” Espnioza said. “Trying to keep our heads and not let the momentum shift on us.”
Montoya credited a full team effort as the reason for their second-half improvements.
One bizarre sequence happened in the third quarter, when a foul was called against McCurdy after what appeared to be a moving screen on Mora. The foul would have sent Mora to the free-throw line for a one-and-one, but instead Mora was awarded just one free throw, which was made, despite there not being a shot attempt on the play or any points awarded.
Sophomore Ryan Montoya continued a strong second half of the season, leading the Bobcats with 15 points.
To advance to the district final, the Bobcats will need a repeat of their Feb. 4 overtime win against Mesa Vista. But the Trojans come in hot, winning their last three games by 33, 38 and 34 points.
“We can’t let them get hot,” Martinez said. “Once they get hot, it’s hard to stop them.”