Things are looking up for the Demons

Santa Fe squad includes top college prospect

It has been a tough few years for the Santa Fe boys basketball team on and off the floor, but the Demons are poised to put past troubles behind them and make people take notice of them because of how well they play.

It helps that the team boasts certainly the top college prospect in the north and one of the tops in the state in sophomore Fedonta “J.B.” White.

But even beyond White, Santa Fe is a team ready to deliver, said coach Zack Cole.

“Our team is a nice mixture of upper classmen mixed with some juniors that have been in the program, and mixed with sophomores and even one freshman. We have a good balance of experience, of youth and of various different qualities, with good guard play, good role players, good shooting.”

While White will be the focal point of opponents, the Demons look to Antonio Lovato as their leader.

“He’s been amazing,” Cole said. “He does everything for us offensively, defensively, emotionally, in the huddle. He keeps everything light. The moment doesn’t become too big for us. Antonio’s approach is to keep it light, but focused when we need to be focused.”

It also helps that sophomore Cruz Martinez has emerged as a viable point guard, allowing Lovato to slide over to the off-guard or wing positions.

“He’s a bundle of speed,” Cole said with a chuckle. “He’s a blur out there. He sets the tone for us and being able to put Cruz Martinez as starting point guard, Lovato, who was a returning all-district point guard, can run the sidelines, and use his great speed and great vision.”

Christian Kavanaugh and Derek Solano are also filling in on the wings, allowing the 6-foot-6-inch White to roam the floor from basket to basket.

“It gives everybody confidence,” Cole said of having a player like White on the floor. “There’s a guy who is willing to do a lot of the little things, a guy bringing a positive spotlight, and a guy who leads by example and is a good teammate.”

And he certainly will be under the spotlight, having already received an offer from the University of New Mexico, as well as other DI schools.

“He’s grown since last year,” Cole said. “He’s gotten heavier since last year. If you watch him, his agility and coordination are better. It doesn’t look like he’s stumbling all over the place. He doesn’t look like Bambi. He’s very precise in his movements and he gets to where he wants to be.”

Now the Demons need to take that next step as a team.

“Realistically for us, we’ve been to the state tournament the last two years, lost in the first two rounds to Eldorado and Atrisco, who went on to win the championship,” Cole said. “We gave them each a good game. But we want to move beyond that. Want to get past that and get to the Pit. It’s a goal of ours to host a first-round game instead of having to travel, finish at the top end of the district and get a chance to go play in the Pit.”

Because when it comes to New Mexico hoops, that’s where it’s at, he said.

“Crazy things happen in the Pit,” Cole said. “We want to get there, then try to make some noise. We tell them, have goals that are sensible, reasonable and achievable.”

And this team has some squarely in its sights.

“Talent only goes so far,” Cole said. “You need the intangibles, the chemistry. You need the ability to stick together when times get tough. Our true character will surface when times get tough.”