In their first game of the season with a crowd, the McCurdy Bobcats had their biggest win of the season dismantling Questa 65-33.
“It means everything,” said McCurdy coach Ernesto Espinoza. “This is our home. We love having the fans here. It’s an excitement, it’s an energy that they bring. They get us to another level. It’s Northern New Mexico Basketball.”
The McCurdy gymnasium was open to a limited number of spectators, and the energy could be felt April 15 throughout the game.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” said Espinoza. “Our guys, I think, were probably a little bit nervous because as you start to win more you start to tighten up a little bit.”
The Bobcats started the game taking a 6-0 lead, but then began to struggle to hit shots, and fell behind 13-12 before taking back the lead at the end of the first quarter.
From there, though, they hit their stride, and scored the first seven points of the second quarter, then continued to add to the lead. Andres Martinez was perfect on a halfcourt heave to beat the buzzer, and the Bobcats took a 34-21 lead into the locker room.
“We didn’t really make any adjustments,” said senior and team captain Santiago Samora. “It just all started with our hustle and our heart.
They continued that run through the third quarter, starting with a 14-0 run that put the game out of reach after multiple Questa timeouts. They held the Wildcats to just four points in the third quarter, and led by 27.
The bench played most of the fourth quarter, and still managed to continue adding points, with a 13-8 margin in the quarter despite limited play from the starters, and McCurdy took the 32-point win.
Martinez led the Bobcats with 21 points, and was especially strong at the free-throw line, going 6-8 in the second quarter. Samora scored 11 and Marcos Gasca added 12.
Samora said the defense is the biggest strength for the Bobcats.
“Once we get flowing on the defense, our offense comes with it,” he said.
McCurdy advances to 5-1 on the season, and a 4-0 mark in district play as they look to repeat a district championship.
The Bobcats faced Escalante April 17 at home in a battle for first place in the district, and Tuesday challenged Mesa Vista.