Springer Closes Strong, But Can’t Dethrone Cliff in Class A Boys State Championship

By Billy Donati and Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

The Cliff Cowboys showed why they are one of the best teams in any Class by taking their second consecutive state title with a 56-45 win over Springer on Saturday morning, March 13 at the New Mexico Class A Boys State Basketball championships in Albuquerque’s UNM Arena.

Cliff is a defending state champion and with several players well over six feet, used their height advantage inside to pound the boards on both sides of the court and stay ahead of the Springer Red Devils for most of the game. Yet it wasn’t a runaway game despite Springer being down over 20 points in the third quarter.

Springer opened the scoring with a lay-up by Isaiah Garcia. Cliff returned the favor and the first quarter went along with lead changes and ties. However, the height advantage that Cliff had, started to show as shots were made close in and above any Springer blocking hands. Estevan Romero found his range early, though, sinking two threes and Springer trailed by only five at the end of the first.

The second quarter was the turning point, as Cliff outscored the Red Devils 17-8. Garcia got in foul trouble early and one of the important cogs in the Springer wheel was missing for most of the first half. Garcia went into halftime with four fouls which put Springer in a tight position as Garcia usually scores in double digits. Garcia later told reporters that he was unhappy with himself feeling that he let the team down by fouling out of the game in the third quarter and was hoping the rest of the team wouldn’t blame him for the loss. They didn’t.

To Springer’s credit, they played with determination and spirit for coach Jimmy Apodaca, hustling and scratching for every loose ball. Even so, they found themselves down 21 to start the fourth quarter due in very large part to the very large Holt Shelley. The 6′ 9″ Shelley is being courted by several colleges and his performance in the championship game only enhanced his image as he pulled down 19 rebounds and poured in 19 points to help the Cowboys earn their fifth state title since 2008.

While Cliff would continue to extend their lead in the third quarter, Springer countered with a full court press that began to work as the game moved into the fourth quarter. Springer rallied and mounted a comeback in the final eight minutes and had two or three shots fallen earlier or the quarter gone on much longer, it could have made for an even tighter game.

Springer outscored Cliff 15-5 in the fourth, but as the final buzzer sounded, Cliff had held off that last quarter rally by and pulled in another blue trophy. For coach Brian Shock, son of legendary coach Pete Shock, it was his second consecutive title following Pete Shock’s 10 title trophies and over 800 career wins. Cliff has now won five state titles in the last nine years.

Springer’s Coach Apodaca noted after the game that he was happy with his team as they all stuck together and supported each other on this quest. He noted they are a close bunch, close like a family. To play in The Pit was an awesome and a little intimidating experience said Estevan Romero of Springer. After the game he and Isaiah Garcia as well as Coach Jimmy Apodaca talked about their feelings of playing in the expansive cavern and how the experience may have affected the way they played. All said they were looking forward to get started on next year’s season.

It’s also worth noting that Springer only graduates one senior, Adrian Urquijo, while Cliff will graduate four of their starting five. Don’t be surprised to see Springer back in the title game again next year.

Springer 15 8 7 15 45

Cliff 21 17 13 5 56

Springer Scoring

Estevan Romero 22

Jacob Quintana 8

Damien Blaubach 5

Isaiah Garcia 5

Ryan Gallegos 3

Zac Caldwell 2

3 pt. shots – 7 of 27 for 26%

Field Goals 18 of 46 for 39%.

Free Throws 2 of 8 attempts