Prep basketball: Free throws cap Santa Fe High's first win over Jaguars since 2000

James Barron | The New Mexican

1/9/2009 - 1/10/09

The last time a Santa Fe High-Capital boys basketball game had something on the line other than school pride, Demons guard Issac Jeantette was only in first grade.

March 2, 2000, was when the schools called themselves District 2AAAA foes, and the Jaguars beat the Demons 54-53 in a semifinal of the district tournament.

It was an event that captivated a city, with a more-than-capacity crowd of 1,800 spilling all over Edward A. Ortiz Memorial Gymnasium.

Security was heightened with a city police presence, the aisles teemed with people as one team got to see its 1999-2000 season continue into the AAAA state tournament, then the largest class in the state.

Come 2010, the opportunity for it to happen again could come, if the New Mexico Activities Association has its way. So, Santa Fe High's 54-52 win might be the precursor to a trip back in time, when the intracity rivalry offered more than just bragging rights for a year.

For now, Jeantette will settle for them. The junior hit four straight free throws in the final 38.5 seconds to seal the Class AAAAA Demons' first win over AAAA Capital since December 2000.

It happened in front of an energetic crowd of about 1,500 at Capital.

The thought of having Capital as 2AAAA foes in two years, which is what the NMAA is proposing, didn't send tingles down Jeantette's spine.

"A district rivalry is always good," Jeantette said. "But that's two years down the road. I'd rather us stay in five-A."

Capital head coach Ben Gomez, who was a Jaguar assistant coach when both schools were in 2AAAA, didn't think Santa Fe High (6-7) dropping into 2AAAA would change the nature of the hard-fought rivalry. He does wonder if the passion will spill out of the court and into the community.

"There's just so many things out there now," Gomez said before the game. "I think the gambling and the entertainment that's out there kind of takes away from the interest, outside of parents and students."

Demons head coach Lenny Roybal believes the move would heighten the rivalry, but if he had his wish, the game still would be just a friendly rivalry.

Roybal would rather see Santa Fe High, which is slated to drop from its AAAAA status, in a district that doesn't include Capital (9-6).

"I think it would benefit both schools because you don't have to worry about one school knocking off the other in the district tournament and ending that team's season," Roybal said.

At least Roybal didn't mind getting an eight-year losing streak off his program's back.

It looked like Capital's domination would continue when Dominic Romero, who normally is known for his defensive post presence, knocked down a 3-pointer to open the second half for a 27-17 lead.

That was when Santa Fe High began its attack, which came mostly off drives into the paint. A 10-0 run was fueled by a Jeantette 3, but he also had a breakway layup to tie the score at 27-27. After that, neither team managed a lead greater than four points in what was a nip-and-tuck affair.

A 7-2 run late in the fourth gave the Demons the advantage they needed, with Teddy Roybal's fast-break layup making it 50-47.

It was a night that called to mind another era, but it also could be the preview of what is to come.

Video by David Martinez