After the 81-67 blowout win against Morenci, the Puma basketball team knew one of two things were destined to happen at the state playoffs on February 3rd; either they would be a step closer to a state championship, or they would be consoling themselves over another loss.
A theme that has been quit scarce this season played out versus St. Gregory at state. It was a theme of quietness. Sterling Schuller, who scored 47 points against Morenci and is called a “lights-out scorer” by the AZSTAR, remained quiet the whole game, only scoring 15 points. He shot 1-for-11 in the first quarter, 1-for-16 in the first half, and finished the game at 3-for-25 from the field and 2-for-8 at the three-point mark. After the 4th quarter, he folded his Puma jersey for good, scoring 15 points. “It was great playing for Bisbee. We had a good season. We didn’t come on the winning side, but it was a personal achievement for everyone,” said Schuller.
From the looks of the first quarter, possibilities for a step closer to state were looking good. After the 1:50 mark, the Pumas started raining threes. Eric Encinas drained a three to give the Pumas their first lead 11-10. Then, Lucas Renteria of St. Gregory answered back with a three to set the score at 11-12. Chris Munsey then called Renteria’s shot with a three of his own to put the Pumas back up at 14-12 with 1:13. This was the Pumas final lead of the game.
Everything went downhill in the second quarter. The Pumas only put up two shots, going 2-for-15, while St. Gregory went 12 for 18 from the field. “We didn’t play at our best abilities. There were too many turnovers, and we didn’t run the offense very well,” said Chris Munsey.
Although the Pumas outscored St. Gregory in the third quarter 13-10, nothing could make up for the damage dealt in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter St. Gregory killed the Pumas, and held a lead by as much as 26 points. The game ended 75-50. “It ended like we didn’t want it to, but overall it was a fun year, with a fun group to play with,” said Eric Encinas.
Eric Encinas and Schuller each scored 15 points. Mars Encinas scored 5 points, and Aaron Farmer, Matt Metli and Mark Pitzlan each scored 3 points.
It was a memorable season despite all the losses. Home games were packed with the community supporting our athletes till the last second. Next years Varsity team will have to step it up a notch to bring the excitement back next year. Although Schuller and Eric Encinas are “irreplaceable,” Alex Navarette from Varsity and possibly Mario Galvez from the JV team will have to take over the challenge. The JV team is no junkyard. There is plenty of talent. “We had a successful season with a record around 15-6. We lost a few tight games that I wish we would have come on the winning side of, but it was a good season,” stated the JV head coach Dante Franco.
The Puma basketball players pleased us all this season, beating the brawling Bulldogs, and keeping spectators cringing in their seats at the Tombstone playoff game only losing by three points. They finished the season off with an 11-14 record.