For the first time since 2019 the Estancia girls basketball team is headed to the state playoffs.
Despite losing to the Menaul School Panthers in the District 2-2A tournament championship, Estancia’s 18-8 overall record was strong enough to secure the No. 12 seed in the Class 2A state tournament. Menaul (21-4) earned the No. 5 seed. The state tournament pits the No. 12 against the No. 5, so the two district rivals will square off in the March 8 opening round.
“We’re definitely looking forward to it and the girls are excited,” Estancia head coach Lawrence Tapia said.
The last time the Lady Bears made the state playoffs, the current seniors were in middle school.
“We haven’t gone to state in about five or six years, when Mariah Aday and all of them were seniors,” said Estancia senior Gabriella Villafuerte. “I used to go to their games a lot, so yeah, it’s very important, little schools matter, you know, and we’re making a big impact, it’s really big to be a Lady Bear.”
“It’s a special opportunity,” senior Dezlyn Carreon added. “I’ve never been there before and the fact that I can be there with my girls, I’m really excited to go with them and share this experience with them.”
It is an interesting twist that Estancia drew Menaul in the first round of the state tournament. Menaul has been a monkey on Estancia’s back all season. Three of the Bears’ eight losses have been to Menaul, including last week’s 43-35 defeat in the district championship.
Menaul’s gym — packed with fans from both schools — was as noisy as pit road during a NASCAR race.
“It was high energy, and the stands were so loud,” Carreon said. “I wouldn’t say we freaked out, but I think we just got a little nervous.”
Carreon sank a layup for an early 2-0 Estancia lead. Menaul answered with a 6-0 run and never looked back.
“We were trying our hardest to communicate with each other and hear our coach and it wasn’t really working that well,” Villafuerte said.
Menaul built an eight-point lead in the second quarter before Estancia trimmed the margin to 16-14 at halftime. Menaul opened the second half with an 8-0 run to push the lead to 10.
Down by seven points after three quarters, Estancia’s Jhenna Valencia deposited a 3-point shot to start the fourth. Valencia sank another 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 32-29 with under four minutes left in the game.
“Just seeing the scoreboard, we were within three and knowing we had a shot with like, three and a half minutes left,” Valencia said. “I honestly thought we had a chance.”
Valencia led the Bears with 15 points. Carreon added nine points.
“I know my girls worked really hard and we played our butts off,” Carreon said.
Now, Estancia faces Menaul for the fourth time this season. The Bears must win to advance in the bracket. A loss would mean their season’s over.
“It’s up to them,” Tapia said about his players. “This is the test, and either we’re up to it or we’re not.”