The Mesa Vista Trojans stomped the Mora Rangers 83-49 March 7 in Ojo Caliente in the the first round of the Class AA boys state basketball tournament.
With the win, the Trojans advance to the quarterfinals where they will play sixth-seeded Rehoboth (23-3) on Wednesday (3/11) at 11:30 a.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center.
“This is March Madness,” Mesa Vista coach Thomas Vigil said. “All it takes is one bad game and the other team to have a good game, and the loser will be sent home. Our goal is to take state and be crowned AA State Champs for 2009.”
The Trojans dominated the Rangers from start to finish. Mesa Vista scored 16 points before the Rangers made a free throw with 3:52 left to play in the first quarter. The Trojans utilized a full-court press that baffled the Rangers’ offense which allowed only 11 points in the first quarter.
The Trojans’ offense was led by point guard Frankie Giron who made three three-pointers in the second quarter. The Trojans were relentless with the press and led by 20 points at halftime.
“This was our last home game for the seniors, and we wanted to come out banging,” said Giron, who scored 23 points. “We will not take our next game lightly as we did against Santa Rosa last year. We are playing as a team and are focused on taking state.”
The Rangers had no answer for the Trojan offense in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Vigil went to his bench players, and they put up 21 points on Mora.
Mesa Vista is hoping to improve on last season’s performance when it lost in the state quarterfinals.
“This is my last year and I want to give it all I got,” Trojan Jamie Cruz said. “Our goal is to take state. That’s why we are playing so hard.”
Cruz had 10 points, and Trojan reserve Greg Trujillo scored all of his 10 points in the fourth quarter.