In rematch of Panthers, Pecos downs Menaul for finals berth
ATC edges Texico for a shot at the trophy
There’s no denying it meant a little something extra for Pecos to beat Menaul on Friday.
Just don’t call the 75-60 win in Friday’s Class 2A semifinal at the Pit a “revenge game” for top-seeded Pecos. That, according to coach Arthur Gonzales, wasn’t the sentiment heading into the rematch from last year’s championship game, which No. 4 Menaul won to capture the school’s first-ever blue trophy in basketball.
“We actually didn’t (mention revenge). We talked about (the rematch) after the (quarterfinal) game against Eunice. We mentioned across the board, we have each other’s back,” Gonzales said. “It’s good for papers. People love that. We know that when you get to this point, everyone wants that opportunity to get that win.”
The Pecos Panthers will face second-seeded Academy for Technology and The Classics in the Class 2A championship Saturday at the Pit at 8 a.m.
Jodaiah Padilla, one of nine seniors on the Pecos roster, led the way for his team with 30 points — including 16 of 18 from the foul line. Pecos also got double-figure scoring from Malik Barrens (14) and Aidan Holton (13).
“It feels really good, especially after what happened last year,” Padilla said. “I’m just thankful for my teammates. They were putting me in positions to score and be able to succeed. It was just a good game all around.”
Pecos (27-3) forced Menaul (22-10) into a frenetic pace as it raced out to a 46-31 halftime lead.
Menaul responded at the outset of the second half with a 14-2 run — punctuated by a 3-point play from Brayden Chavez — to cut the deficit to 48-45 with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter. That was as close as Menaul would get. Pecos scored the last five points of the period and maintained a doubledigit lead for the majority of the fourth quarter, sealing its victory behind 16 points at the charity stripe. Pecos made 31 of 34 free throw attempts.
Menaul’s Prashant Chouhan and Abhishek Yadov both had their playing time limited before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Chouhan led Menaul with 17 points, while Yadav had 15.
The foul situation hindered the Menaul Panthers more than playing a frenetic opponent, said coach Gary Boatman.
“I don’t know that we were tired. Maybe a little bit,” Boatman
said. “I think it was pure fouls, truthfully. We started playing slower — and then turnovers. That rattled us. We were playing passive. So turning it over and being a little scared to play D is a bad combination.”
Pecos is in the title game for the sixth time in the last seven years with four straight championships from 2017 -2020.
“These guys lost a tough one last year,” Gonzales said. “It’s stuck with them. That’s part of life and so now we’re grateful to have this opportunity again, to have a chance to win a title.”