A LOOK BACK AT THE TOP SPORTS STORIES IN NORTHERN NM
Even though the McCurdy boys have a senior-laden squad, sometimes it takes them a bit to get going.
Such was the case Friday in the semifinals of the Bean Valley Tournament in Estancia, when the Bobcats fell behind Monte del Sol 29-13 at halftime.
“We started really slow the whole first half,” said McCurdy coach Ernesto Espinoza. “It took awhile to get our feet and get off the bus I guess you could say.”
But sparked by 19 points from Ubaldo Barela, including 15 in the second half, the Bobcats recovered for the 68-54 win. Ernesto Martinez added 11.
“We started playing our type of basketball and our guys started picking up the tempo and the speed,” Espinoza said.
McCurdy outscored the Dragons (6-6) 25-9 in the third quarter and coasted home.
“We’re a heavy senior team so these guys know how to play,” Espinoza said. “We think we’re quicker, more talented and rely on that too much when we start games.
We went into this game after we saw them play (Thursday) and thought we can win this one just by showing up. We have to play within our system and when we do we’re a good team. And when we don’t anybody can beat us.”
The Dragons put on a good showing behind a well-rounded attack, with Peter Lujan putting up 14 points, Santi Archuleta 13, Alec Lopez 12 and Isaiah Salazar 10 with six assists.