Mesa Vista head basketball coach Thomas Vigil had said this team was the deepest that he has had in three seasons. That depth made a big difference in the Trojans’ 70-43 season-opening home victory Nov. 19 over Monte del Sol.
While the Dragons suited up only seven players for the game, Mesa Vista had 13 players on the bench and 11 players score.
“That’s pretty indicative of what’s to come from this team,” Vigil said. “We’ll need to get one or two games under our belt.”
The Trojans had a trio of Trujillos (not related) tie for the team’s scoring honors. Eugene, Ramon and Estevan Trujillo each scored 14 points to lead the Trojans. The Dragons were led by Aaron Vogel, who led all scorers with 24 points.
The Dragons came out strong and led 16-13 at the end of the first quarter. After the game Vigil said he wasn’t worried.
“It’s a long game,” he said. “(Monte del Sol) came out and had no fear.”
The Trojans turned things around in the second quarter, scoring 28 points to the Dragons 10 and taking a 41-26 lead at halftime. Behind three three-pointers by Eugene Trujillo in the third quarter, the Trojans scored 20 points in the third quarter to Monte del Sols eight and took control of the game 61-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
After the game, Vigil knew he had to work on the Trojans’ defense. Monte del Sol had gone to the line 24 times, as opposed to just 17 trips for the Trojans.
“We’re reaching way too much,” Vigil said. “We have to be more disciplined,”
On offense, Vigil saw some things he liked.
“We’re moving the ball and sharing the ball well,” he said. “Sometimes we’re too unselfish, passing up a quality shot and ending up with a not-as-quality shot.”
Estevan Trujillo is the only returning starter for the Trojans this season.
“I don’t want them to be afraid,” Vigil said. “Allow yourself to make a play and allow yourself to make a mistake and learn from it.”
The Trojans face Escalante Wednesday (11/25) in Ojo Caliente. The Lobos defeated the Dragons 84-54 at Tierra Amarilla Nov. 14 in the opening game for both teams
“Looking at that score and looking at ours, it should be a good game,” Vigil said.