Bloomfield Bobcats Rally in Overtime, Beat Piedra Vista 57 53
Bloomfield improves to a 2 0 record after a 57 53 overtime win over Piedra Vista at Bobcat Arena, fueled by senior Luis Caro Shipley who scored a game high 26 points. The comeback underscores Bloomfield's defensive pressure and free throw discipline, a positive sign for local supporters as the season begins.
Bloomfield rallies from a double digit deficit to defeat Piedra Vista 57 53 in overtime Friday night at Bobcat Arena, improving the Bobcats to a 2 0 record. Senior Luis Caro Shipley led the comeback with a game high 26 points, supported by senior Kaydin Nelson with 10 points and junior Elijah Cooks with eight. Paxton Morris sealed the win at the free throw line, finishing the night with two clutch attempts in the final minute.
Piedra Vista controlled much of the early tempo, opening 7 0 after capitalizing on six Bloomfield turnovers. Sophomore Bower Carley scored 14 and senior Juaquin Jojola added 12 as the Panthers built a 24 18 halftime lead, then extended it to 33 21 late in the third quarter. Bloomfield trimmed the gap after Caro Shipley converted a three point play and a sequence that included an assist from Pecotte to Nelson made it 39 31 entering the final quarter.
Foul trouble shaped the night. Piedra Vista committed nine team fouls in the first half, sending Bloomfield to the free throw line where the Bobcats cashed in nine points. Late in the fourth quarter Watson fouled out for the Panthers, and both Jojola and Carley eventually fouled out in overtime. Free throws and turnovers decided the final period as both teams shot just 25 percent in the fourth quarter and went 0 for 3 from behind the arc in that span. Bloomfield forced at least a dozen turnovers overall.
Coach Richardson emphasized patience and defensive identity after the win saying, "They want the game impact right away to go out the first two minutes and put a stamp on the game. But you just got to let the game come to you. We’re a small team, but Luis guarded one of those bigger guys, and it just shows what this team is about." Reflecting on the way the offense was produced through stops, he added, "We wanted to paint touches and hit shots. It was one of those games where we see a zone that comes back and does well, and we finally found some options, but our defense is going to make our offense, and that’s what happened tonight."
The Panthers hope to get their first win of the season Thursday on the road at Albuquerque Academy during the Joe Armijo Invite. Bloomfield will look to carry momentum into a Tuesday matchup at home against Tohatchi. The final score by quarter read Panthers 10 14 15 9 5 for 53 and Bobcats 9 9 13 13 13 for 57.
