Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari High School boys basketball coach John Span talks to his players before a practice last week. Span is returning for his 21st season after sitting out 1 1/2 seasons due to cancer.
How is Tucumcari High School boys basketball coach John Span feeling? He's fine, thank you very much.
Inquiries about Span's health aren't just for pleasantries. He missed about 1 1/2 seasons due to life-threatening cancer in his liver and bile ducts that required major surgery in August 2023.
Though he was declared cancer-free since the operation, he'd lost at least 60 pounds and admitted he was too weak for the rigors of coaching during the 2023-2024 season. Assistant coach Gary Hittson guided the team instead.
Now back in the saddle for his 21st season as THS boys coach, Span said before a practice last week he looks and feels almost normal compared to his pre-cancer days.
"I've had people say if they had known that I went through what I went through, they would have never known by looking at me. So that's that's a good thing," he said.
"I feel good," he added. "Been taking care of myself. I was going to get a CT scan every three months. Now I go every six months. Everything looks good. Everything's clear. Getting stronger, getting my weight back."
Span admits he enjoys coaching again.
"Feels good. Kids are working hard. We're kind of back in the grind," he said.
The Rattlers begin their season with a game against Thoreau on Thursday at the West Las Vegas tournament.
Tucumcari's first home game will be against Texico on Dec. 10, following the girls game.
Span said the number of THS players who went out for basketball is not more than 20, an unusually low number.
"But we got the kids that we feel like we need to have out, and I think we'll be really competitive with what we have," he said, "if everybody stays eligible and everybody commits into it what takes for a team to be successful."
Tucumcari has three potent scorers - all juniors - returning from last season's 9-15 squad - guard Luis Archuleta (19.0 points per game), center Kamren Apodaca (11.0 points per game) and guard Daymion Urioste (10.1 points per game).
One who starter who won't return, however, is senior forward Jordan Rincones (6.8 points per game), who suffered knee injuries during a motorcycle accident last summer. He underwent surgery and won't be able to play.
As for the rest of the starting five, Span said he is trying different combinations to see what works.
Span said his team's biggest strength is speed.
"I would say we don't really have anybody slow," he said. "I like to get up and down the floor. And so we're going to play uptempo.
"If we can stay out of foul trouble and move the ball around and play it the way we play, anybody could be the leading scorer any night. I like that."
Span said he's tried to make his players more cognizant about avoiding turnovers - a thorn in the team's side last season.
"We've been concentrating on not turning the ball over in practice. I ask them, 'How many turnovers you have today?' If they're conscious of it, hopefully they'll cut down on it," he said.
Asked about weaknesses, Span replied that his team doesn't have much size.
"But if we if we can box out, we'll be fine," he added. "Teams don't beat you on the first shot. It's when they get in those second and third shots. So if we can box out, get the ball and go, I think we have a chance of beating teams. But if we can't control the boards, it's going to be a little tough for us."
Tucumcari's new Class 2A-6 district in the wake of realignment includes perennial state contender Pecos, plus Santa Rosa, Estancia, Raton and Clayton.
"You got to come and play every night," Span said. "I think it's a tougher district than when we were in 3A. (Class) 2A is no joke.
"But I tell you what: I believe that every night that we we have a game, we have a chance to win if we do the little things. I honestly believe that. We just got to get out and play. I think we'll be fun to watch."
