Jags-Sundevils rivalry will be less special next season
Tuesday was not just the beginning for Capital-Española Valley. It also was the beginning of the end. The boys basketball battle between the two titans of Class 5A basketball (and 4A before 2014) is now in its final stages of what became perhaps the most intense, fun and electrifying rivalry in the state. For the better part of the past 17 years, a game between these two programs was special. It was filled with the kind of drama and anticipation a rivalry game should have. It was Bernalillo-Grants, minus the animosity.
It was Pecos-Mora before the two schools moved to different classes.
It was Las Vegas Robertson-West Las Vegas, but a lot more neighborly.
It was Valley-Albuquerque High, but the stakes were always high.
And “was” is the operative word, because classification and alignment (through no fault of its own, although we still weep for Pecos-Mora) broke up yet another great thing. Capital will be in the highest classification of next year’s five-class system, while Española will be in 4A.
If they play next year, the game won’t be any less important. It just won’t be the same.
We won’t have “The Charge,” in which Sundevils forward James Archuleta stepped in front of Capital’s Augie Larrañaga and flopped/took the contact in the final seconds of the Class 5A championship game in 2016.
The Sundevils’ “Miracle Run” in 2003 wouldn’t have been as special if they didn’t have to beat Capital in the District 2-4A championship game to complete their run through the district tournament ladder as the last seed — when only two teams made it to state.
Nor will we have beautiful moments like Estevan Martinez’s block of Rodney Coles’ layup to preserve Capital’s win in the 2011 District 2-4A championship game, followed 12 days later by Coles’ revenge on Martinez in the final moments of the 4A quarterfinals that propelled the Sundevils to their first state title.
No more “Free Throw Game,” where Azaziah Salazar drew a foul with no time left and hit two free throws to secure a Sundevils win in Capital last January that sent Capital fans into another officiating tizzy.
They’ll all be pieces of history for both programs to illustrate how fierce these games were, because something was always on the line. It made for beautiful theater that encapsulates why prep basketball is such a big deal up north.
Fear not. Some other rivalry will come and take its place. Wouldn’t be nice if it ends up involving Capital or Española? The Jaguars will have crosstown rival Santa Fe High in their district next winter, while Española will have Pojoaque to battle for district, and “Valley” rights.
Only time will tell. For now, we can relish in the fading warmth of Sundevils-Jaguars (or vice verse, depending on the colors you wear).
If they play next year, the game won’t be any less important. It just won’t be the same.