The Coronado boys basketball team exploded for 25 points in the second quarter on their way to a 72-50 victory over the Mora Rangers Jan. 2 in Gallina.
The victory allowed Coronado to capture the top seed in this week’s Northern Rio Grande Tournament and to show off an offense that had been dormant for much of December.
Coronado’s 41 first-half points were six more than it scored all game in a Dec. 19 victory over Pecos and just 10 points shy of their total Dec. 22 in an overtime win over Questa.
“We were able to get transition baskets,” Coronado coach Ezau Rios said. “That was huge.”
The transition baskets came courtesy of the Leopards’ full-court press, which produced several turnovers that Coronado converted into layups.
Johnny Chavez had 15 points in the first half to lead the Leopards to a 20-point halftime lead.
“Coach says if I’m open to look for the shot,” Chavez “He told me I was a great shooter and don’t lose your confidence.”
After leading 16-8 at the end on the first quarter, Coronado took off on a 15-4 run to take a 31-12 lead. Jason Velasquez added 12 points to the Coronado’s second-quarter blitz, and Chavez finished the first half by draining a three-pointer.
In the third quarter, Chavez scored 10 consecutive points to give the Leopards their largest lead of the game, 55-26. Chavez’s older brother Jesse finished the third quarter with a layup. The Leopards led 59-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Johnny Chavez finished with 27 points and Velasquez added 16 as Coronado rolled to its third consecutive victory.
The Leopards have been without post Pedro Valdez since Dec. 5, when he suffered a hairline fracture of his left elbow in a 44-36 win over Pecos. The 6-foot-3-inch Valdez is the Leopards only player taller than 6 feet.
“Everyone else has gotten better having to play without him,” Rios said. “It will be good when he comes back.”
Valdez was to have his cast removed Monday and scheduled to play Wednesday (1/6) in the opening round of the Northern Rio Grande Tournament at Pojoaque High School.
“He gives us 17 points and 10 rebounds a game,” Chavez said. “It will be great to have him back.”
In Valdez’s absence, the other Leopards have had to increase their intensity.
“Whenever they’re on the floor, they have to give 100 percent,” Rios said. “For a team like us to be successful that’s what we have to do.”
The win over the Rangers helped the Leopards secure the first seed in the Northern Rio Grande. Peñasco received the second-seed with an 8-3 record. The seeds are based on winning percentage.
Coronado plays eighth-seeded Dulce in the opening round of the tournament. The Hawks are 2-10 and are a District 2AA rival of the Leopards
“I’m really excited about the (Northern Rio Grande),” Rios said. “We’re going to do our best to live up to that first seed.”