Justin Parraz era with Loving Falcons basketball starts on winning note
Nerves did not get the best of new Loving Falcons basketball coach Justin Parraz during the season opener Tuesday at Dexter High School.
The new-look Falcons got off to a fast start against the Demons and won 81-55 in Loving’s season opener.
Parraz heads up a team that finished 2023 with a 5-23 record and 1-7 in District 2-4A.
More: Cobre Indians hold off late charge by Loving in first round of Dexter tournament
Before the tip-off of Tuesday’s game, Parraz admitted he was anxious for the season to start.
“There’s a lot of responsibility, I want the boys to rise to the occasion,” he said.
More on Justin Parraz
He graduated from Loving High School in 2000 and lettered in football, basketball and track and field.
Parraz served as an assistant coach in various sports for the Falcons. He also was an assistant football coach during this past season.
Hired in late July, Parraz said he took the vacant basketball coaching position to help the athletics department of the Loving Municipal Schools.
“I’ve been a fan over the years and want to watch the boys succeed. I saw an opportunity,” he said.
Hired in late July, Parraz said offseason workouts for the basketball players was minimal as a majority of Falcon student-athletes were involved in offseason football workouts.
He said basketball practice started after the Loving football team lost to Santa Rosa 57-15 in the 2A state playoffs in early November.
Parraz is assisted by his cousin Bobby Parraz, who also served as an assistant football coach.
More: Santa Rosa capitalizes on Loving turnovers in opening round of 2A football playoffs
A look at Loving's season goals
Justin Parraz said the main goal for the 2023-24 Falcons was to improve on last year’s losing record.
“It was tough. They seem determined. They’ve been practicing like they believe (and) they’re hungry,” he said of the Falcons.
Loving will be road warriors during the month of December with tournaments in Tularosa and Fort Sumner and a Dec. 18 game in Artesia against the C team and junior varsity.
Loving’s lone home game this month is Dec. 21 against the C and junior varsity teams from Carlsbad High School. The Falcons have seven home games this season.
“We will see some tough competition. It’s important to get good quality wins before district,” Justin Parraz said.
Last season the Falcons tied with the Hagerman Bobcats for last place in District 2-4A. The Jal Panthers, Eunice Cardinals and Tatum Coyotes finished in the top three in league play.
All three teams made it to the 2A state tournament last season.
Justin Parraz the Cardinals could be the team to beat once league play starts Jan. 30.
More: Loving Falcons hopeful for different results in opening round of 2A football playoffs
Loving's Key Basketball Players for 2023-2024
The Falcons have a mix of upper and underclassmen on this year's squad, according to Justin Parraz.
Offensively he plans to rely on senior guard Gio Ruiz and sophomore guards Bobby Parraz and Tristen Onsurez.
He will also call on senior forward Kaleb Rodriguez and junior forward J.D. King to provide help and leadership for the Falcons.
“J.D. King missed a lot of (time) of his 10th-grade year,” Justin Parraz said.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Justin Parraz starts 2024 Loving Falcon basketball with win
