ATC BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM HAS “UNFINISHED BUSINESS”
Academy for Technology and the Classics is currently the top boys basketball team in Class 2A. “After last year’s success, the kids are really trying to continue on what we built and I think we’re doing a pretty good job,” said head coach Bobby Romero.
Last year, ATC reached the state final with a chance to win their first ever championship, but lost to Pecos 52-49. “Last year was pretty rough and it was hard to swallow, that three-point loss,” recalls Romero. “Having an 11-point lead at halftime was rough, but that goes back to senior leadership. Free throws is what killed us last year. We missed 13 free throws and lost by three and we missed 14 layups. That was a huge impact on us, so we really make sure we make our free throws and make our layups. They feel like it’s unfinished business and on any given day, anyone can beat anyone, so we just have to show up and play every day.”
This year’s roster has seven seniors, including four of their five starters. Their coach designed a schedule to get them battle tested for the postseason. “I personally picked certain teams that I thought would be some of the top competitive teams in 2A. I went out and scheduled them to play them at their place. It also doesn’t hurt our schedule that nine or ten of our games throughout the season were against 4A and 5A opponents and we beat every 4A opponent we played.”
How’s this for a monster matchup. ATC’s last game of the regular season is a date at Navajo Prep, #1 in 2A against one of the top teams in 3A. “He tells me it’s a championship atmosphere and I know they’re a hell of a team,” said Romero. “We’re just looking to go out there and try and play and compete and hopefully that will help prepare us.”
Mark your calendar. That game is scheduled for February 24th.
