By the end of the 2022-23 season, McCurdy was down to five players.
But at the start of this year, they are up to 11, and more could be on the way.
“It’s more girls coming in, since we got a new coach,” said junior center Mariana Arambula, who is back after a year away, and is happy to be a team leader this year. “It’s going to be a better season than what it was the past couple of years.”
The Lady Bobcats (1-0) started off their season with a huge win, 52-8, over Chesterton Academy (0-1) on Tuesday. In just one game, McCurdy matched its win total from last year, when they went 1-24. The win should change the mindset of a team that has struggled in recent seasons.
“I am so happy with the effort that the ladies put in,” said new coach Joseph Brooks, who took over the team just one week before their first game.
Players seem enthused about the change.
“Last week, we got our new coach,” Arambula said. “And the girls kept coming in. Because they wanted to see what the experience was going to be with this new coach. I think they continued to like it, because they stayed here.”
Throughout the game, McCurdy scored in transition and on fast breaks off of steals. Their team has plenty of speed, and they easily outran the Saints
The Bobcats raced out to a lead from the start, and were up 14-2 after one quarter. By halftime, they led 26-6. In the fourth quarter, they scored 19 points and allowed none.
Over the last three years, McCurdy has won just three games, with a total margin of victory of 15 in those games. Their high score in a single game last year was 36 points. Their last time winning a game by as much was in February 2020.
“It really does change the mindset,” Arambula said of the win. “I feel like it could be a winning team this year. If we can be tough, like how we were today, I think we can take multiple teams that we have in our district.”
Sophomore Kaylee Martinez led the team with 18 points. Arambula had 12, and Isabella Archuleta scored 10 and had plenty of assists.
“Just the excitement of them taking on a leadership role while on the court,” Brooks said. “Isabella Archuleta, she was amazing tonight. Taking control of the offense, playing amazing defense. She’s really filling in to her role as a leader on the team.”
McCurdy will play over the weekend at the Santa Fe Indian School junior varsity tournament, being allowed to enter as a varsity team. Their first game will be on Thursday against Santa Fe Indian’s C team.
“This team is coming together,” Arambula said. “We’re playing more as a team. We’re getting better and better each day.”
Boys Basketball
Chesterton, a new school (they are in their second season of basketball) with just six players on the roster, found themselves badly outmatched against McCurdy’s boys team on Monday. The Bobcats came away with a 93-11 win.
Throughout the game, McCurdy forced turnovers (though they called off their press by the second quarter) and easily scored under the basket. They also hit six 3-pointers.
The Bobcats led 35-1 after one quarter, and 59-5 at halftime before finishing the 82-point victory.
Ryan Montoya led the team with 28 points, 18 in just the first quarter. Ladarin Gutierrez scored 14 off the bench.
McCurdy next plays on Dec. 12 at Cottonwood Classical.