Throughout the Piedra Vista basketball season, Ty Jaquez has been the rock for the Panthers.

Last week in Aztec was no exception.

Jaquez's steady play guided PV to three wins in three days as the Panthers captured the Rumble in the Jungle tournament title.

The PV senior saved his best stretch of the tournament for when the Panthers needed it most.

After Bloomfield hit a 3-pointer to take a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Jaquez scored eight points during a 10-1 PV run to give the Panthers a lead they would never relinquish.

The ability to take over a game is something first-year Panthers' head coach Adam Huff is trying bring out more in his senior captain.

"When I first got here, he'd come shoot around while Jake (Armijo) was still at football and I told him you've got to be the guy.' I keep telling him he's the best player on the court," Huff said. "Nobody can stop him. We've seen it where he has games that he dominates inside and outside. We're trying to get him to where he thinks he's the best player. He's a really humble kid. He's getting there for us."

Jaquez averaged 17.7 points per game in the three-game tournament behind an efficient offense attack in which he shot 50 percent from the field (18-of-36), 47 percent from 3-point range (7-of-15) and 83 percent from the free-throw line (10-of-12).

Armijo recognized how valuable it is to have a teammate like Jaquez by his side to give PV a dynamic one-two scoring punch.

"It's

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important," Armijo said. "One night I can be cold and he can go off, or he can be cold and I can go off. Then we can have games like one at the (Roswell tournament) where we both have big games and are really hard to beat."

The Panthers struggled early in the season with injuries and eligibility issues, starting 3-7, but with team having its full compliment of players around Jaquez, PV has reeled off six wins in seven games to get above .500 at 9-8 with the only loss coming to No. 1 Roswell at the Poe Corn tournament.

Jaquez isn't concerned about individual stats this season and has high aspirations for the team.

"Win district, and make a run at state," he said on his goals for the Panthers this year.

10 Questions with Ty Jaquez

Favorite sport?

  • Basketball or baseball.

    Favorite food?

  • Green chili chicken enchiladas.

    Favorite team?

  • San Antonio Spurs.

    Favorite athlete?

  • Michael Jordan.

    Favorite music?

  • Rap or Hip-Hop.

    If you had a million dollars, what would your first purchase be?

  • A new house for my mom.

    Favorite TV show?

  • Walking Dead.

    Favorite movie?

  • Battle for Los Angeles.

    If you could pick any super power, which one would you pick?

  • The ability to fly.

    If you weren't playing basketball, what sport would you play?

  • Baseball.