The Española Valley Lady Sundevils survived a determined comeback by Los Alamos to win 42-32 Jan. 30 in Española and improve to 2-0 in District 2AAAA.
Española watched a 19-6 lead at the end of the first quarter crumble away in the second and third quarters. The Lady Hilltoppers closed to within a single point of the Sundevils with 4:22 left in the fourth quarter. Clinging to a 32-31 lead, Española scored eight unanswered points to preserve the victory.
“I was really worried,” Española coach Ron Drake said. “We were just up by one and (Los Alamos) had the ball for three straight possessions.”
Los Alamos started shooting quick jumper shots, and Española was able to start running when they grabbed the rebound.
“I think (Los Alamos) got excited and wanted to get the lead,” Española senior Nisa Duran said.
Sophomore Desiree Howie, hampered by foul trouble most of the game, got things going again for Española with a layup after receiving a behind-the-back pass from teammate Melanie Vigil on a fast break.
“I’ve done it a couple of times in practice,” Vigil said of her pass to Howie. “I don’t have the best left hand so I figured I’d go around the back and hope she’s ready for it.”
Maria Serna followed with a driving layup to give the Sundevils a five-point lead and some breathing room. A driving layup by Duran gave the Sundevils a 39-32 lead with 1:31 left to play. Española finished the game by hitting 3 of 4 from the free-throw line.
“I told (Duran) to take charge and take it to the hole,” Drake said. “That’s what she does best.”
Duran finished with 16 points to lead the Sundevils. Shelby Courtright led Los Alamos with 11 points.
Española had raced out to a 13-2 lead behind seven points by Duran. The Sundevils led by 13 points at the start of the second quarter, but then they went cold from the field. For the first 5:20 of the second quarter, Española shots went everywhere but in the basket.
Freshman Amanda Maestas finally broke the drought by grabbing an offensive rebound and drawing a foul. She nailed both free throws. Maestas had to play because starting post Marisol Peña picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter. Maestas finished with seven rebounds and five points.
“She played some big minutes for us,” Drake said.
The Sundevils squandered away more of the lead in the third quarter as they stayed cold.
“We weren’t scoring and we’re a scoring team,” Drake said. “We had good shots, but there was a lid on the basket.”
The Sundevils travel to Bernalillo Tuesday and Capital in Santa Fe Friday for two District 2AAAA games.
The Sundevils were to open District 2AAAA play Jan. 19 by hosting Capital, but winter weather has twice led to the postponement of that game.