Up and coming ballers show their skills

Cobe James Hardin setting the tone on defense for the Warriors during the JV game against Tohatchi.
Greg Byrd | El Defensor Chieftain

It was a full slate as all three squads represented the Warriors on December 14. Before the full-strength varsity group hit the floor younger players for the “C” team as well as junior varsity went up against the visiting Tohatchi Cougars.

Concessions were still being set up while fellow classmates transitioned from studies to athletics when the Warriors “C” team hit the floor. Coach Ray Gonzales was running the group during the early game and expressed some concern with the young guys on the floor.

“What I can tell you is that we are really green,” Gonzales said. “We need to work on being disciplined and running the ball instead of just playing street ball out there. We give up too many open layups. They’ve got to learn how to slow things down in their own minds if these kids want to succeed.”

After a Cougars three, Socorro was able to get on the board with sophomore Julius Lucero converting on a sweet layup in the paint. The rim was not kind for either team as close misses reigned for several minutes. A late jumper by sophomore Jason Padilla gave Socorro its first lead 12-10 to end the first. Both teams were also warned early by the referees to make sure masks were fully on their face at all times.

The second half had Tohatchi pulling away thanks to its suffocating defense, utilizing a box-style technique. Socorro got crushed in the lane and could not defend on the boards, losing 40-26.

With more fans arriving, the Warriors had no plans to lose two in a row. The JV group came out ready to go as the sun was descending for a 5 p.m. matchup. The Warriors avenged its previous evening loss, winning 32-23 against the next group of Cougars.

This was a swift statement win for Socorro, starting off with a big three by sophomore T.J. Silva, looking like Klay Thompson, which got the home crowd going. The biggest problem during the first quarter was rebounding for the Warriors as they continued to give Tohatchi second-chance points. The visiting team kept it within four early.

After the game senior Cobe James Harden expressed concerns about getting better as a team.

“We have a lot of things to improve as a group,” he said. “Our fundamental basic talking ability on the court is something we need to figure out. We’ve been playing together since we were little and most of us think we’re point guards doing our own thing. We have to learn how to listen to what the coaches tell us to do. The biggest thing we can do is work as a team instead of as an individual.”

Coach Kenneth Greenwood was not pleased with what the Warriors group did on the floor after the game.

“We’ve just gotten together as a group,” he said. “It was certainly a bit of a struggle. We have a lot to work on including our ball handling as well as our rebounding skills. These kids need work but we are playing with a lot of energy which is a good thing. The problem is, we are not playing together.”

The “C” team as well as JV do not currently have state rankings as a team for Socorro.