By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Maxwell Bears hosted the District 5A championship game Saturday night, February 29, 2020 and for the third time this season posted a win over the Springer Red Devils.
The Bears came into the game missing senior Ben Goebel who injured a hand and was unable to play but freshman Tristen Pierce stepped up and was the number two point getter for the team.
First quarter action saw Maxwell take the lead and post a five point advantage by the end of the quarter in this fast paced run and gun game. Neither team was especially hot in the shot department with Maxwell only posting 11 to Springers six points. The second quarter was again a low scoring quarter with both teams barely making double digits. Fouls began to become a factor in the second as well with big man Kaden Riggs going into the halftime break with three. It could be said that free throws kept Maxwell in the game as they went to the line 22 times to Springer’s seven.
After halftime both teams stepped up the defense and the shooting with Springer outscoring Maxwell by three 16-13 in the third. The run and gun pace continued and saw Kaden Riggs foul out early in the fourth quarter followed by Springer’s Jeremiah Apodaca later in the fourth. The referees were from Santa Fe and called a slightly different game than the boys were used too and by the fourth quarter Springer was able to find their way into the lane and up for the shots as Kolten Riggs held back for fear of fouls.
Maxwell however, countered and extended the lead to over eight points but watched Springer battle back under the basket and bring the score to within one. Tristen Pierce and Kolten Riggs hit the shots when they needed to keep Maxwell in the lead. By the final buzzer Maxwell could take a breath and celebrate the third win of the season over Springer this time by six 53-47.
Springer 6 10 16 14 47
Maxwell 11 12 13 17 53
Springer High Point
Jose Urquijo 20 1 of 2 free throws
Owen Burton 8 2 of 2 free throws
Jeremiah Apodaca 8 0 of 2 free throws
Free throws 4 of 7 attempts
Maxwell High Point
Kolten Riggs 16 3 of 4 free throws
Tristen Pierce 15 0 of 1 free throws
Kaden Riggs 12 6 of 7 free throws
Free throws 12 of 22 attempts
