Wariors Pay High Price in Victory over Eagles

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Basketball team (9-9) survived a scare and a heartbreaking injury to escape with a hard-fought 88-78 victory over the West Coast Baptist Eagles, holding on down the stretch after leading by as many as 19 points in the second half.

What began as a commanding performance turned into a test of resolve when misfortune struck with 3:52 remaining. Freshman guard Nicholas "Nico" Bojorquez—who had only returned six weeks ago returned from injury—went down with a lower leg injury, halting play 30-minutes as medical staff tended to him on the court. With held breaths, players on both sides and fans both in the stands and at home, prayed for the health of their young spark plug was eventually carted off the court. We now await further news on his condition.

Just moments earlier, the Warriors had appeared in full control. After a tight opening 10 minutes, Nelson caught fire with an 18-4 surge, capped by a Bojorquez layup that staked them to a 41-24 advantage. They carried a 12-point lead into halftime and kept pouring it on in the second, stretching their margin to a game-high 19 points (78-59) at the 7:45 mark behind veteran Terrin Ross, who scorched the nets for 10 straight Warrior points to fuel the cushion.

But while the Warriors were methodical in the building of their lead, West Coast Baptist, took nearly no time at all to slice the lead right back down with a seemingly unstoppable 16-2 run over just four minutes, turning a blowout into a ballgame and setting the stage for potential chaos following the lengthy stoppage.

When play resumed, the momentum had evaporated for the Eagles. Cold from the long delay, they missed all five field-goal attempts in the final minutes, scoring on just three made free throws. Meanwhile, the Warriors rallied around their injured brother, locking in defensively and finding the inside of the cylinder just enough to preserve the ten-point win and silence what had threatened to become a monumental comeback.

Zoe Holman, who had a spectacular slam dunk during his team's first-half run, led the Warriors with 22 points, to go along with balanced 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. Terrin Ross finished with 21 points and 8 boards, shooting a highly efficient 9-15 from the field. Nico Bojorquez and Orlando Gonzales guided the offense with precision, combining for just 6 points, but 13 assists and 2 steals. While Jermaine Earnest led the bench unit with great aplomb, recording career-highs with 20 points and 10 boards, both blowing away his previous high totals.

Davion Brooks led the Eagles with 26 points on 10-12 shooting from the field, while Jimmi Proctor scored 21 points on 6-11 from beyond the arc, to go along with 5 rebounds.

The Warriors continue their three-game home stand with a matchup against Stanton on Thursday, January 15, at 7:30pm, before they take on Westcliff on Saturday the 17^th, at 7:30pm.

The victory comes at a steep emotional cost. Bojorquez's latest injury, one that is no doubt an unfortunate twist after battling back from his previous setback, is an unwanted resonance in the victory song of triumph. Yet the way Nelson responded in the face of adversity, playing with heavy hearts for their injured teammate, speaks volumes about the brotherhood and resilience of this squad.

Let us all take a few moments to say a prayer of peace and recovery for Nico – the Warriors are not the same without you. May God bring him strength and courage as he recovers from his injury. "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." Philippians 4:13.

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