Live Action: Eldorado @ Cibola – 1/17/2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score: Cibola 54 Eldorado 52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Co-Players of the Game: [player_tooltip player_id='1679997' first='Julian' last='Ortiz'], Cibola - 12 pts, 3 ast</strong> <strong>&amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1124236' first='Elijah' last='Foster'], Cibola - 9 pts, 7 reb, 1 stl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Points: [player_tooltip player_id='1276348' first='Josh' last='Jackson'], Eldorado &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'], Cibola - 18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Rebounds: [player_tooltip player_id='1124236' first='Elijah' last='Foster'], Cibola - 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Assists: [player_tooltip player_id='1679997' first='Julian' last='Ortiz'], Cibola - 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Steals: [player_tooltip player_id='2026078' first='Christopher' last='Williams'], Cibola - 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Blocks: [player_tooltip player_id='1276348' first='Josh' last='Jackson'], Eldorado &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1903316' first='Cole' last='Baca'], Cibola - 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cibola looked as put together as they have all season. Their offense flowed as a unit, and their on-ball defense caused problems for the Eagles. Though Eldorado held the lead for most of the third quarter, Cibola was able to climb back with their aggressive play and offensive rebounding. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statistically, this was not a good game, as there were a lot of loose balls and deflections that altered the ebb and flow of the game. Nevertheless, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679997' first='Julian' last='Ortiz']</strong> kept his foot on the gas for the Cougars on the offensive end. He was a consistent shot-maker and was the emotional leader of this team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124236' first='Elijah' last='Foster']</strong> was a force in the paint, grabbing a game-high 7 rebounds and getting the game-winning offensive rebound and putback to give the Cougars the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'] </strong>was the leading scorer for Cibola, starting strong in the first half. His efficiency continues to struggle from beyond the arc, but he's expanded his game to create in the paint as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1903316' first='Cole' last='Baca']</strong> was a force on both sides of the floor and knocked down the go-ahead three in the final minutes, as well as getting the final stop to ice the game in the end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276348' first='Josh' last='Jackson'] </strong>had as strong of a first quarter as I've seen from any one player so far this season. He easily has one of the purest jump shots in the state, and showcased it in the first half, though his production faltered a bit in the second. He finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2284316' first='Johnny' last='Salas']</strong> continues to impress as the leader at the point guard position, as he finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679994' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell'] </strong>came off the bench in this one but did not disappoint as a spark plug off the bench for instant production. He finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2293836' first='Tysean' last='Austin']</strong> was strong going to the basket and scored with ease around the basket. He should continue to flourish in this role as an athletic wing that attacks the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->