Make it two years in-a-row for the Sundevils at the Sandia Prep Invitational.
The Sundevils from Española Valley took down the tournament host Sundevils from Sandia Prep in the tournament final Dec. 8, running away with a 76-49 victory to claim the tournament championship for the second straight season.
Española came out confident and stormed to a 46-22 halftime lead and capped off the blowout victory behind a strong, collective performance. Ryan Trujillo (tournament MVP) led the team with 21 points, Zach Mascareñas put in 19 and Brian Martinez had 15 as the three players scoring in double-digits.
“What a difference a week makes,” Espanola head coach James Branch said. “I just loved the way we defended and shared the ball this weekend.”
Branch was referring to the prior weekend at the Al Armendariz tournament, where Española limped away from Capital High School with a 1-2 record after losing to Santa Fe and Grants in the semifinal and third/fourth place game.
At Sandia Prep, Española faced similar adversity throughout the weekend, as they trailed at halftime in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Down 22-19 in the first game against Mesilla Valley Dec. 6, the Sundevils took control in the second half, outscoring the SonBlazers 35-22. They pulled away in the fourth quarter outscoring Mesilla 22-10.
Mascareñas led all scorers with 26 points (21 in the second half) and Justino Rascon and Martinez pulled down a combined 18 rebounds to carry Española on the glass. Trujillo finished with 20 points and eight assists.
“Defensively, we played the way we are capable the last four minutes of the game, but unless we play with much more urgency, games will be held in balance,” Branch said. “Gabe Serrano was defiantly a spark plug for us defensively all night. We need everyone to follow his lead. He is 5’8’’ guarding a 6’2’’ post most of the game.”
Their semifinal matchup against St. Pius X — like Branch expected if defensive pressure wasn’t at its forefront — was held in check throughout the first two quarters as the Sundevils found themselves trailing 35-29 at halftime.
However, the second half was an onslaught, as Española outscored the Sartans 45 to 24, with a 25-10 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Hardly any points were wasted at the free throw line, as the Sundevils converted 23-of-27 attempts.
Rascon recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds and Trujillo scored 21 points, Mascareñas had 21, Martinez had 15 and Serrano added 11.
Branch has stressed progression and overcoming adversity since before the season began, knowing that last year’s dominant run and record of 28-2 would be hard to match. The Sundevils have already hit that number in the loss column, but the coach said he was able to wind down and relax easy after the conclusion of the Invitational.
“The guys really stepped up the last two days,” he said. “Saw shades of what I’ve envisioned: great effort, energy and enthusiasm. The things I’ve been preaching since I came here.”
Española traveled to Santa Fe High Tuesday, but those results were not available by press time. Another tournament awaits the team Thursday (12/13) through Saturday, this time at Cleveland High School.
Tipoff in the first round is 2 p.m., Thursday against Bernalillo.