RHS exploits Socorro turnovers

Ryan Tafoya scored 14 of his 16 points in the first quarter Saturday, setting the tone early in Robertson’s 83-61 romp over visiting Socorro.

Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Robertson’s Brandon Maes spins around the defense of a Socorro guard in the Cardinals’ 83-61 victory on Saturday night at Mike Marr Gym. The game was Robertson’s first home contest of the season.

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The Cardinals and head coach Manuel Romero were to play at St. Michael’s (4-7) on Wednesday in what figures to be an interesting non-district encounter.  

Getting off to a good start against Socorro was mainly a product of the Cardinals’ opportunistic defense, which converted three steals directly into fast break points as RHS (3-5) raced to leads of 9-0 and 15-3.

Tafoya, who’d opened by knocking down a three-pointer, had two of those steals-turned-layups. Jalen Martinez, who was a thorn in the Warriors’ side defensively, had another.

Matthew Jojola hit a three to end Robertson’s first 9-0 run. Two of Socorro’s five first-period field goals were of the three-point variety, and the visitors trailed 27-15 going into the second quarter.

Jay Martinez provided a nice spark off the bench for the Redbirds in the second period, popping in a three-ball from the right wing to open the quarter. He also scored a hoop inside the lane, then went on to make four foul shots in as many tries, all in the second quarter. He’d finish with 11 points.

Joe Mascareñas, dependable as usual in the paint, scored 14; Ricardo Martinez and Keith Romero had 10 each. RHS soccer standouts Jalen Martinez and Brandon Trujillo added 6 apiece. Brandon Maes (3), Diego Montoya (3), Justin Dimas (2), and Norman Salazar (2) rounded out Robertson’s scoring output.

The Cardinals led 43-26 at halftime and increased the spread to as much as 24. Jalen Martinez’s perimeter jump shot midway through the third gave the home team a 57-33 advantage, its largest of the night.

Socorro’s hard-working post Ethan Smith labored mostly in vain on the offensive glass, at least initially. Smith found some success by stepping out for perimeter shots, and he finished with 17 points, including three from long range.

Michael Padilla swished five threes and scored a game-high 22 and Jojola added 11 for Socorro.