The 2A boys playoff match-up between the Escalante Lobos and the Fort Sumner Foxes, March 7, at Rio Rancho High School, began with even, fast-paced competition, but eventually gave way to a lopsided 73-39 victory for the Foxes.
The first quarter featured strong offensive movement from both teams and with evenly traded baskets. Fort Sumner’s success rate from the field was the lowest of the game, missing nine of their 16 attempted shots, but showing early promise with solid ball movement and exploitation of the Lobo defense.
Escalante, on the other hand, had their highest rate of offensive success this quarter, staying on pace with the Foxes the full eight minutes and trailing by only one point, 11-12.
They continued their offensive momentum into the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Two turnovers and good transition play gave Escalante a brief lead. The Foxes responded by hitting a string of three-pointers, ending the half up, 28-20, and holding all the offensive momentum.
Escalante closed the gap early in the third, with two successful free throws and a three-point shot. Their offense throughout the second half was characterized by these short bouts of offensive momentum.
Fort Sumner was consistently strong on both sides of the ball.
Foxes senior Hunter Sturgeon helped keep the pace and momentum up, fielding multiple offensive rebounds and penetrating the paint often, but was taken out late in the quarter, after committing three fouls.
Their high scorer, Brant West, with help from Jude Segura and Noah Maxwell, proved too much for the Lobos’ defense, drawing a foul and making both free throws to put the Foxes up, 44-28.
Escalante plateaued at 28 points for several minutes, finally breaking through with a free throw and a three-pointer.
Their offensive success remained sporadic, however, and a frustrated Lobo offense frequently began attempting, and missing, three-pointers.
Escalante also began a full-court press near the end of the quarter, but Fort Sumner maneuvered it well and continued with a consistent, pass-heavy offense facilitated in large part by Cory Terrell and other key players
The Lobos began the last quarter with several successful free throws, but again plateaued at 35 points, while the Foxes continued with solid momentum, despite subbing in much of their bench.
Again, back-to-back threes kept the offensive momentum squarely in Fort Sumner’s possession, putting them up, 64-35.
The bench players did not slow down the Foxes’ offensive pace, continuing to score throughout the quarter.
Escalante played a desperate game the entire quarter, with another string of missed threes.
Both teams benefited from being in the double bonus, but the Foxes ultimately continued their scoring streak to finish the 73-39 victory and eliminate Escalante from the 2A playoffs.