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District Championships Live Up to Great Game Expectations

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

District 5A Tournament championship games took place Saturday evening, Feb. 27th in Sim Brown Gym in Springer as both Springer teams earned a bye into the championship game by finishing in first place at the end of the regular season.  The games did not disappoint the fans as both games went down to the wire and ended with a one point ladies and 2-point boys win for Springer.

Both Lady Ram coach Patricia Le Doux and Lady Red Devil coach Thomas Ybarra planned to change things up for this game as both teams have played each other during the regular season. They wanted to give the other team a different look to try and gain the advantage. Yet it took almost three minutes before the Lady Rams could take control and scored first and quickly extended their lead. The Lady Red Devils however weren’t to be denied as they battled back from a 11 point deficit to end the first half of the game down five. The Lady Rams played a physical game and by the second quarter were sending Springer players to the free throw line. Kara Burton made the trip six times and dropped in five of those free throws.

As the second half got under way the Lady Red Devils found their rhythm and the battle was on, as they tied the game early on in the third quarter and finished it off with an eight point lead. The Lady Rams however weren’t going to give up that easy and they too battled back from the deficit to tie the game. It was back and forth with the lead changing and it finally came down to the free throw line. This is one of the those games that could have gone either way from the free throw line as both teams made and missed those shots late in the quarter.

The clocked ticked down and both teams were at the line in last few seconds of the game. A shot hit and shot missed and the tie finally came down to that one free throw that won the game for Springer. With 13 seconds on the clock and a one point lead Hanah Burton put up a three attempt and missed. Cimarron lost the ball and fouled but allowed the clock to wind down to three seconds. Kara Burton went to the line and missed her free throws, but Springer pressed and prevented Cimarron from making it down the court as the buzzer sounded for the one point win.

Cimarron 14  11  7   21  53

Springer   7  13  20  14  54

Cimarron High Point

Reina Argüello 26      1 of 4 free throws

Free Throws  9 of 19 attempts

Springer High Point

Kara Burton 16      8 of 9 free throws

Alicia Arias  14      0 of 2 free throws

Free throws  14 of 24 attempts

 

The boys championship game pitted the arch-rivals Springer and Maxwell against each other for the third time this season.  Springer had won all three games including in the Cowbell, so it was important for Maxwell to “show up”. Maxwell definitely came out to play and soon took the lead but never really dominated the game. Springer however didn’t waiver and soon battled back and took the lead ending the first quarter with a four point lead.

The second quarter saw Springer take control and despite sending Maxwell to the charity stripe nine times they extended the lead to 11 with strong play under the basket.

As the second half got underway the third quarter saw Maxwell come alive and use the free throw line to close the gap. The Bears went to the free throw line 10 times and added six of their 20 points out-scoring Springer by 12. At the end of the third quarter Maxwell had taken the lead by one, 40-39.

The fourth quarter saw lead changes and strong defensive play yet the whole game came down to the last few seconds. The game was close or tied as Springer stepped up to the line and missed giving Maxwell a chance. But, it was not to be, as Maxwell scored and then Springer tied it with only a few seconds on the clock and  the ball went out of bounds. During the coaches strategy sessions, Coach Brazil for Maxwell and Coach Apodaca for Springer used a total of three timeouts. Springer’s Zac Caldwell inbounded the ball and caught Jacob Quintana heading for the basket. Quintana found the opening, drove in for the lay up and it went and through the net with only nine tenths of a second on the clock. The nail biter went to Springer and the celebration began with the 56-54 win.

The NMAA Seeding and Selection process for the state tournament will begin on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.

Maxwell  10  10  20  14    54

Springer  14  17   8  17    56

Maxwell High Point

Carl Gonzales 13     6 of 10 free throws

Andrew Archuleta 11     7 of 8 free throws

Free throws  20 of 31 attempts

Springer High Point

Isaiah Garcia  13     0 for 1 free throws

 

 

Katy Scott wrangles with Mariah Vanderlei and Gentry Haukabo during the District Championship game in Springer
Katy Scott wrangles with Mariah Vanderlei and Gentry Haukabo during the District Championship game in Springer

 

Danielle Blake hauls in the rebound as Mariah Vanderlei went for the tip during the district championship game Saturday in Springer.
Danielle Blake hauls in the rebound as Mariah Vanderlei went for the tip during the district championship game Saturday in Springer.

 

Alicia Thompson (22) and Gentry Haukibo (22) go for the rebound Saturday evening in Springer.
Alicia Thompson (22) and Gentry Haukibo (22) go for the rebound Saturday evening in Springer.

 

Hannah Burton goes to the floor after the ball with Shaylee Reinde right behind her in this physical district championship game Saturday evening.
Hannah Burton goes to the floor after the ball with Shaylee Reinde right behind her in this physical district championship game Saturday evening.

 

Hannah Burton goes for the shot as Mariah Vanderlei goes for the block and draws the foul sending Burton to the free throw line.
Hannah Burton goes for the shot as Mariah Vanderlei goes for the block and draws the foul sending Burton to the free throw line.

 

Springer v Cimarron 2-27-16_5756
Zoe Salazar and Alicia Arias (30) go up for the rebound during the district championship game in Springer

 

3 seconds on the clock and it comes down to a free throw. Kara Burton missed this one but Springer still managed to hold of the Lady rams for the win.
3 seconds on the clock and it comes down to a free throw. Kara Burton missed this one but Springer still managed to hold of the Lady rams for the win.

 

The Cimarron Lady Rams place second in District 5A L to R: Jesslyan Selph, Shaylee Rinde, Alexis Martinez, Mariah Vanderlei, Gentry Haukabo, Angle Gonzales , Maya Salas, Reina Arguello, Zoe Salazar, Samantha Ogata
The Cimarron Lady Rams place second in District 5A L to R: Jesslyan Selph, Shaylee Rinde, Alexis Martinez, Mariah Vanderlei, Gentry Haukabo, Angle Gonzales , Maya Salas, Reina Arguello, Zoe Salazar, Samantha Ogata

 

The District 5A Champions Springer Lady Red Devils, L to R. Coach Paul Caldwell, Elena Maestas, Jaidyn Swartz, Alicia Thompson, Katy Scott, Hannah Burton, Kara Burton, Danielle Blake, McKayla Blake, Alicia Arias, Coach Thomas Ybarra
The District 5A Champions Springer Lady Red Devils, L to R. Coach Paul Caldwell, Elena Maestas, Jaidyn Swartz, Alicia Thompson, Katy Scott, Hannah Burton, Kara Burton, Danielle Blake, McKayla Blake, Alicia Arias, Coach Thomas Ybarra

 

Kolton Riggs (22) goes up for the shot as Isaiah Garcia gets a hand up for the block during the district championship game in Springer Saturday night
Kolton Riggs (22) goes up for the shot as Isaiah Garcia gets a hand up for the block during the district championship game in Springer Saturday night

 

Thomas Mitchell (23) and Zac Caldwell (32) reach out for the ball on the rebound.
Thomas Mitchell (23) and Zac Caldwell (32) reach out for the ball on the rebound.

 

 

 

Isaiah Garcia gets a arm in as Andre Archuleta drives the lane for the lay-up
Isaiah Garcia gets a arm in as Andrew Archuleta drives the lane for the lay-up

 

Estevan Romero gets a hand on the ball and knocks it loose from Kolton Riggs.
Estevan Romero gets a hand on the ball and knocks it loose from Kolton Riggs.

 

Its a scramble for the loose ball as Kolton Rigs (22) battles with Estevan Romero and (23) and Isaiah Garcia for control. The ball eventually went out of bounds and was turned over too Springer as Riggs touched the ball on the line.
Its a scramble for the loose ball as Kolton Rigs (22) battles with Estevan Romero and (23) and Isaiah Garcia for control. The ball eventually went out of bounds and was turned over too Springer as Riggs touched the ball on the line.

 

Jeremy Archuleta (3) and Zac Caldwell battle for the rebound during the district championship in Springer
Jeremy Archuleta (3) and Damien Blaubach battle for the rebound during the district championship in Springer

 

Andrew Archuleta gets a hand in and draws the foul as Isaiah Garcia gets control of the ball
Andrew Archuleta gets a hand in and draws the foul as Isaiah Garcia gets control of the ball

 

Jacob Quintana (15) gets the fingers on the ball as Carl Gonzales (5) reaches up for the rebound.
Jacob Quintana (15) gets the fingers on the ball as Carl Gonzales (5) reaches up for the rebound.

 

Bryan Romero and Owen Cruz (20) battle for the ball that finally gets called a tie ball turning it over to Springer on possession.
Bryan Romero and Devon Cruz (20) battle for the ball that finally gets called a tie ball turning it over to Springer on possession.

 

Kolton Riggs (22) goes for the block as Jacob Quintana (15) sends the ball up for the lay-up with only 1.5 seconds on the clock. the ball feel true and gave Springer the 2-point win at the buzzer for the district championship.
Kolton Riggs (22) goes for the block as Jacob Quintana (15) sends the ball up for the lay-up with only 1.5 seconds on the clock. the ball feel true and gave Springer the 2-point win at the buzzer for the district championship.

 

Jacob Quintana celebrates as the ball falls to the floor after making the winning shot to give Springer the district championship Saturday night in Springer.
Jacob Quintana celebrates as the ball falls to the floor after making the winning shot to give Springer the district championship Saturday night in Springer.

 

The celebration begins as the boys crowd around Jacob Pacheco after he made the winning shot for Springer
The celebration begins as the boys crowd around Jacob Pacheco after he made the winning shot for Springer

 

The celebration continues after Jacob Quintana made the winning shot to give Springer the championship win.
The celebration continues after Jacob Quintana made the winning shot to give Springer the championship win.

 

The District 5A 2nd place Maxwell Bears L to R: Ricci Molina, Devon Cruz, Jeremy Archuleta, Carl Gonzales, Jeremiah Atencio, Ethan Robinson, Andrew Archuleta, Kolton Riggs, Thomas Mitchell, Aaron Salazar.
The District 5A 2nd place Maxwell Bears L to R: Ricci Molina, Devon Cruz, Jeremy Archuleta, Carl Gonzales, Jeremiah Atencio, Ethan Robinson, Andrew Archuleta, Kolton Riggs, Thomas Mitchell, Aaron Salazar.

 

The District 5A Champions Springer Red Devils L to R; Isiah Vigil, Colton Shaw, Zach Sanchez, Chris Casias, Ryan Gallegos, Zac Caldwell, Gabriel Garcia, Damien Blaubach, Jacob Quintana, Bryan Romero, Estevan Romero, Isaiah Garcia, Adrian Urquijo
The District 5A Champions Springer Red Devils L to R; Isiah Vigil, Colton Shaw, Zach Sanchez, Chris Casias, Ryan Gallegos, Zac Caldwell, Gabriel Garcia, Damien Blaubach, Jacob Quintana, Bryan Romero, Estevan Romero, Isaiah Garcia, Adrian Urquijo

One Comment

  1. Rebecca Hoy Rebecca Hoy February 28, 2016

    Great game! This was the game of the year!!!

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