The Española Valley Sundevils scorched the Cleveland Storm in the third quarter Dec. 30 en route to a 70-57 victory in the championship game of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Classic in Rio Rancho.
The Sundevils, clinging to a 29-26 halftime lead, came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half. Luis Alvarado, the tournament’s most valuable player, began a 10-0 Sundevil run with a three-pointer. The swarming Sundevils’ defense created several turnovers, igniting the overwhelmingly pro-Española crowd that outnumbered the Storm fans 3-1 in the stands. As the roars of the crowd increased in volume, the Sundevils continued to pour it on, scoring inside, outside and in transition.
“We started making shots, the crowd got into it and the defense stepped up,” junior point guard Rodney Coles said. “We pushed the tempo and sped the game up.”
Española led 55-42 heading into the fourth quarter.
“I sensed that they were ready to go,” Española coach Richard Martinez said. “Sometimes, there’s no stopping them.”
“The fans got all into the game during our run in the third quarter,” Alvarado said.
That fan support has followed Española throughout the season as the Sundevils have had just one home game during their 10-1 start.
“The effort that these kids put in they deserve that support,” Martinez said.
The Sundevils had started the game slowly. Cleveland pounded the ball inside to 6-foot-7-inch post P. J. Horgan, whose eight points in the first quarter gave the Storm a 14-12 lead heading into the second quarter. The Storm stayed in front until 1:54 of the second quarter when Coles’ three-pointer gave the Sundevils a 23-22 lead. Cleveland took back the lead 24-23, but Aaron Aragon tied the score with a free throw and followed with a three-pointer that gave Española the lead for good.
Española, a Class AAAA team, has traveled to three tournaments and taken on seven Class AAAAA schools, including Cleveland. The Sundevils’ only defeat came to defending Class AAAAA champion La Cueva 58-57 in overtime Dec. 12 at the Joe Armijo Classic in Albuquerque. The Sundevils still have to face Class AAAAA powers, Clovis and Hobbs, later this month on the road.
“It’s building our confidence and our toughness playing these (Class AAAAA) schools,” Alvarado said. “It’s good because that’s what we need.”
Coles led the Sundevils with 14, while Alvarado added 13 points Aragon had 11 and Richie Mondragon 10. Horgan led all scorers with 26 points.
At the conclusion of the game, the Sundevils presented the first-place trophy to Richard Garcia of the KDCE radio station in Española, which broadcasts the Sundevils’ games. Garcia’s mother had died recently.
“It’s community support,” Martinez said.
Española is ranked second in Class AAAA behind Roswell.
Española began play in the St. Michaels Invitational Tuesday in Santa Fe.