First-year coach Amanda Saenz has Socorro hot at just the right time as Socorro recorded its seventh-straight win by downing Hatch Valley 45-36 in the championship of the District 3-3A tournament on March 4.

The victory adds to the Lady Warriors’ late-season feats after Socorro successfully defended its district title and closed out league play with a 57-41 win over Hot Springs in a seeding game after the two teams finished tied.

Socorro won ugly in the tournament championship and overcame 10-30 free-throw shooting but had the saving grace of defensive rebounding on their side.

It was also a night when senior leadership showed up in force. Ball-handler Ariana Crespin was drawing heavy defensive pressure and, during a timeout, sat down on the floor with her coach’s dry-erase board and began drawing out a scheme.

“I was getting guarded face-to-face while they’re in a box one, and we needed Jasmine to step up as point guard and control the tempo. I was explaining what her job is to do for the court,” Crespin said. “Knowing I’m the only one running point guard this year. I knew she needed my help. I’m going to step up as a captain, and I’m going to help her out.”

Stepping up as a senior is something Crespin credits to her past coaches.

“Last year, coach Jarrod Storey had a big impact on me. He taught me everything — him and Brittany McDaniel. They taught me to step up for this year, knowing I would be coming up. They taught me that whenever I’m out there, I know I can do it. They put that in my head and helped me accomplish it this year.”

The move helped Socorro take better care of the basketball, and the Lady Warriors’ number of turnovers began to fall.

Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain
Senior Ariana Crespin takes charge as she draws out an offensive scheme for her teammate Jasmine Alvarado.

Socorro needed every one of its possessions after running out to a 14-6 first-quarter lead only to slow down to a 6-6 second quarter. Socorro led 34-21 heading into the final stanza. Still, it was an uncomfortable lead as Tamra Fowler ran into foul trouble, and the officials began calling foul after foul on both teams.

The Lady Warriors had problems at the line, missing 11 of 20 opportunities, and with Kaedynn Gonzales making Socorro’s only bucket of the quarter, it was a bit nerve-wracking until the final minute.

Socorro (12-6, 5-1) will be on the road for the opening round of the Class 3A girls basketball tournament as they face Navajo Prep (21-9, 11-1)
SHS girls (12-6, 5-1) vs Navajo Prep (21-9, 11-1) 7 p.m.

Scoring – Adrianna Guiterrez, Faith Lucero 15, Kaedynn Gonzales 11, Jazmine Alvarado 8, Ariana Crespin 5, Tatijana Costillo, Tamra Fowler 4, Amarissa Lopez, Maleah Brown, Thalia Acosta 1.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor