New faces propel Jaguars’ quick start

Tomé

Options are nice to have when scanning a menu at a restaurant, picking out a movie for date night or setting up a play with a game on the line.

It’s those options that have helped Valencia boys’ basketball get off to a 4-2 start and allowed coach Jesse Hathoot to crack a hint of a smile.

The No. 1 scoring option for the Jaguars continues to be Damian Estrada, a senior and one of the best guards in the state. However, Estrada has help from several fresh faces.

“We’ve had some young kids who have really stepped up,” said coach Hathoot. “We knew they could.”

With only two seniors on the roster, Estrada and Jorge Zuniga, VHS needs the “young kids” to play like veterans.

Take Jared Porter and Carin Bustillos, who are each averaging about 10 points per game and scoring in pressure situations.

Bustillos, whom Hathoot calls one of the best freshmen in New Mexico, made key three pointers in narrow victories over Los Alamos and Del Norte.

“He’s got a knack for the big moment. The games not too big for him,” Hathoot said of his 6-foot, 1-inch guard.

The adjustment as a ninth-grader has been smooth, according to Bustillos.

“When I’ve got Dame (Damian Estrada) and the rest of my teammates, I feel nice and calm,” Bustillos said. “I love just how competitive it is. It’s fun to play with other people at their skill level.”

On the other wing is Porter, a sophomore who knocked down a trio of three-pointers in overtime against Del Norte to help the Jaguars secure a 68-66 victory. Not bad considering Porter was a role player last season, who corrected a flaw over the summer.

“I just fixed my shot, my form. I had my arm all the way out,” Porter said about his right arm. “I don’t think it’s my specialty, but I’m pretty good at it.”

Porter gives Hathoot credit for suggesting the change, while Hathoot praises Porter’s work ethic.

“He’s a kid who shows up to every workout, goes 100 percent,” Hathoot said. “He’s able to take hard coaching and respond.”

Porter also plays tough defense, guarding the Hilltoppers’ best player during the recent victory.

There is also praise for Jordi Giron, a sophomore point guard.

“People may underestimate him when you see his size but he just has a knack for hitting open shots, finding his teammates,” the coach said.

In addition, the Jaguars are counting on sophomores Jordan Henry.

“… kind of our defensive specialist,” and Diego Baeza, “our big kid,” Hathoot said.

Still, experience is wonderful to have when district action heats up, in a hostile gym or a state playoff berth is at stake.

“We can’t do anything about our age, but we can work hard and continue to get better,” Hathoot said, pointing out that the varsity played about 100 games during the offseason. “I’m really proud of them.”