The Coronado Leopards are looking to be on the rise this year, but their efforts for a week-one victory came up just short.
Coronado boys basketball started the year with a 33-31 loss to Questa (1-0) on Dec. 1. They had a lead late in the game, but just missed on chances to close out a win. A year ago, they lost to Questa by 30, putting this game as a marked improvement.
The game was a tight battle the whole way. Questa led 10-8 after the first quarter, had a strong stretch in the second quarter and went into halftime with an 18-13 lead.
Coronado started a comeback when Questa’s coach was called for a technical in the third quarter, and tied the game at 22, but Questa ended up ahead 26-22 after three quarters.
Then, Coronado center Micheal Suskey took over the game with a 6-0 run himself in the fourth quarter to give Coronado the lead. They were up 29-27 with under two minutes left.
But Questa scored a couple of baskets, and leading by two with 23 seconds left, hit a basket plus a foul (and missed the free throw) for a two-possession lead, and the Leopards ran out of time.
This weekend, the Leopards will host the first annual Leopard Invitational. On Friday, both the boys and girls teams will play against Tierra Encantada. Tse’ Yi’ Gai and Shiprock Northwest are on the other side of the bracket.
Lady Leopards
By the end of the game, Coronado was playing five on three.
The Lady Leopards have six players on the roster. But in the fourth quarter, three of them fouled out, and the game ended with Coronado outmanned.
Coronado’s girls team battled after a slow start, but ultimately found themselves outmatched in a 54-15 loss to Questa.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 20-3 lead in the first quarter. But the defense settled down, and Coronado outscored Questa 6-4 in the second quarter.
The Leopards struggled, though, getting the ball in the basket. They hit three field goals in the game, and made nine of their 28 free throws.
Questa had a run late in the third quarter, and finished the quarter leading 40-14. And Coronado scored just one point in the fourth quarter, when three players fouled out.
Ashlynn Jaramillo led Coronado with nine points, and had all six of the team’s points in the second half. She shot 18 free throws, getting to the line with ease.