Gallup applies pressure en route to home title

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Jan 15, 2015 | Basketball |

Grants Pirate Richie Lucero (32) drives the ball against Gallup’s Cody Tabaha (13) and Colton Lowley (32) on Saturday night in Gallup. The Bengals won, 70-63. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)

GALLUP

In the past, the concept of pressure had been foreign to the Gallup Bengals.

This year, however, it’s something they have embodied.

It’s a concept that identifies the 12-man roster that is now 14-1 this season after the Bengals defeated Grants High School 70-63, for a second time, earning them the title of the 71st annual Gallup Boys Invitational.

Gallup head coach Domonic Romero credits that concept for the success they are having.

“One thing that we have this year that we haven’t had in the past is being able to put pressure through a half-court press, and we haven’t been able to do that because of the speed,” he said. “With us having all the speed, that’s been the key to our success; is putting pressure on teams.”

That is what they exactly did at their annual tournament held last weekend.

The Bengals first defeated Kirtland Central in the opening round, then Shiprock, before facing an all-too familiar opponent Grants (they defeated Grants last month in the championship game of the Pirate’s annual tournament).