Taos Tigers secure top spot in 2-4A with big win over Española
For third year in a row, Taos finds themselves in familiar territory
The Taos boys basketball team has quite literally gone from worstto-first in the district standings over the course of 11 days — improving to 3-1 in district 2-4A.
After dropping their first district game at home against the Pojoaque Valley Elks Jan. 26, the Taos Tigers swiftly rebounded with a win six days later in Moriarty. Two days later, Taos triumphed in Los Alamos, followed by a huge win at home three days later over the Española Valley Sundevils.
With the scooting ascension by coach Nando Chavez and his squad in their respective league, the Tigers have now positioned themselves to receive an invitation to play in the state tournament by inching their way up to the number 16 spot in class 4A. The three-game winning streak also brings the Tigers closer to evening their wins and losses, as they now own a 10-12 (0.454-win percentage) overall record.
Coincidentally, Taos was in the exact same position, and held the same 3-1 league record after completing the first cycle of games one year ago. Taos would eventually end up as the regular season, district champs with a 7-1 record.
It was the same two years ago, when the Tigers ended their district season with a 7-1 record and in first place in the standings.
Taos 59 - Moriarty 53
After two straight home games, the Tigers hit the road and traveled to Moriarty to take on the Pintos Feb. 1. When the two teams met, Taos and Moriarty were tied for last place in the district, having lost to Pojoaque Valley and Española in their respective district openers.
And much like the Pojoaque game, the Tigers came out strong in the first half and built a double-digit lead by aggressively attacking the basket and hitting a bevy of threepoint shots. At the half, Taos had a 15-point lead and seemed poised to pull away in the opening moments of the third quarter. A surge by Moriarty, however, forced Taos to match points throughout the remainder of the game, and then hold off the Pintos in waning moments as the lead narrowed.
“Our inability to finish games hurt us earlier in the season,” coach Chavez said. “In Moriarty, though, the guys kept their composure and supported each other down the stretch.”
Lionel Salazar, Yovanni Varela and Malakhai Ely combined for a total of 23 interior points. On the night, Taos had a poor showing at the free throw line, making just six out of 18 shots (30 percent). Four made free throws in the fourth quarter, however, did make a difference with the final outcome.
“We gained a lot of confidence and maturity in Moriarty,” Chavez said. “We really needed the win, and I feel it set us up for the next challenge.”
Taos 48 - Los Alamos 44
The next challenge came quickly, in the form of another road game Feb. 3. And though the Hilltoppers are a team in flux — due to the recent firing of their head coach — they are always a tough opponent on their home court.
A balanced scoring attack by the Taos Tigers tilted the scales in their favor against Los Alamos. A total of nine players from Taos scored points, with Roman Quintana being the lone player to attain double-digits with 14.
“Roman really was the spark for us,” Chavez said appreciatively. “He had a string of points in the third period that kept us close and helped us take the lead.”
An additional key to success for Taos was their much-improved free throw percentage. On the night, the Tigers hit 12 of 18 free throws (66 percent). In the final seconds of regulation, Lionel Salazar was able to secure the win with a single free throw to extend Taos’ lead to four, making it impossible for Los Alamos to tie the game with the amount of time left on the clock.
On hand to watch the game and scout Taos from the stands were the varsity players from Española Valley.
Taos 55 - Española 49
In what has become a rivalry for the ages, the Taos Tiger versus the Española Valley Sundevils matchup always brings excitement and intrigue. Before the game started, the Sundevils were atop the league standings with a perfect 3-0 record. After losing to Taos, Española slipped to the number two spot due to Taos owning the head-to-head advantage.
Following the usual (recent) script, the Tigers garnered a commanding lead in the first half, and again seemed poised to blow out their opponent with a quick burst of points to start the second. A resolute Sundevil crew made an aggressive comeback, though, that began late in the third stanza and continued into the fourth quarter whittling a 13-point Taos lead down to a onepoint differential with 1:30 left in regulation.
A couple of stout defensive stands by the Tigers prevented the Sundevils from taking the lead, thus denying a psychological element to play a part in the assembling drama.
Once again, free throws played a key role in the win for Taos. On the night, the Tigers went 15-of-24 (62 percent). 11 of those free throws came in the fourth quarter.
The excitement continues for the Tigers as they start the second set of district games with a trip to Pojoaque Valley for a rematch against the Elks Feb. 15. That game will be followed by a home game against the Moriarty Pintos Feb. 17.
All remaining district (varsity) games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. For the remaining two home games, fans are encouraged to arrive early and purchase their tickets (online) beforehand at the GoFan website. Cost to enter games is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors, military personnel and students.