At one point during Española Valley’s heart-breaking loss to Artesia in the Class AAAA semifinals, I really got caught up in the exhilaration of the game. It was between one of the overtime periods and they were playing “I Want to Rock and Roll All Night” over the public address system. The huge Sundevil crowd got into the music and the place really was rocking.
“I thought to myself, ‘This is what makes high school basketball so great. A community supporting its team and having a good time cheering for them.’”
Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last after the game. Immediately following the loss, fans threw bottles on the court. This was by an tiny minority of the Española fans, but it was ugly nonetheless.
I have lived here 40 years and I know this does not represent the community I know and live in, but I also know that unfortunately this tiny group of fans, likely adults and not students, will give the people, who take pleasure in putting down others, ammunition for talking badly about Española.
Then came the criticism of coach Richard Martinez, who has taken Española to the Class AAAA state tournament four consecutive years and to three straight District 2AAAA championships. People are blaming his stalling tactics in the final minutes of the game as the reason Española lost.
Martinez defended his tactic when I called him Sunday. He pointed out that Española had a chance to win the game at the end of both the first and second overtimes, when the Sundevils had possession and took the last shot. Neither shot fell.
“We had a chance to win three times,” Martinez said. “I don’t think I’d change the way I did things.”
I’ll tell you what I think, but let me start by saying that Martinez has done a tremendous job in building Española into a respected and powerful basketball program. These last three years have been exciting and rewarding to cover and I have personally thanked Martinez for them.
Against Artesia, however, he may have been outmaneuvered. In the media interview room after the game, the Artesia players said they knew they had a chance to win when Española began to stall.
I think, however, that Artesia coach Isidoro Montoya deserves the credit for the victory, rather than blaming Martinez for the loss. Montoya studied tape on Española and had his team prepared for the tactic. The Artesia players were confident they could handle the stall, and Montoya did a good job of keeping them loose during the pressure-packed game.
Montoya may have outcoached Martinez — in this game. It may not be the same the next game and the tactic has worked for Española in many other games.
Should Martinez be fired for losing in the semifinals two consecutive years? I don’t think so. To fire a coach that has brought Española so far because of two one-point losses doesn’t make sense. Martinez doesn’t plan to leave, and he’s the one who sweats through early morning practices, takes time away from his family and whose players, in his own words “bled for him” these last three years.
I mean, should Joey Trujillo at Pojoaque be fired because he can’t beat St. Michaels or Thomas Vigil at Mesa Vista be fired because for two consecutive years he has lost at state? I don’t think so.
Española Valley Athletic Director Dave Fontaine and School Board President Leonard Valerio spoke in support of Martinez Monday despite the calls for Martinez’s dismissal. Superintedent David Cockerham, who has the final say in hiring and firing, offered no comment.
Rather than looking back at the loss to Artesia as a game the Sundevils lost because of the coach, remember it as a game where the Sundevils fought hard. It was another game where thousands in the community came out to cheer for their team and impressed people from across New Mexico with their enthusiastic support. Remember that feeling like I felt during the game and keep in mind that what’s important is the players and the students. There should be no difference of opinion on that matter.