Coach Forbes thinks Andress has better shot at state title this year compared to his ’95 Riverside team

Twenty years ago, Andress coach Jim Forbes led Riverside High to the State Final Four before falling in the semifinals.

ABC-7 sat down with Forbes on Monday to talk about his chances of winning a state championship with Andress this time around, something that hasn’t been done by an El Paso public school since 1976 when Eastwood did it.

“We have a variety of guys,” Forbes said of his Andress team. “We have seven guys that on any given night can put up 20 to 30.”

Because of that, Forbes, who coached Riverside to the 1995 Final Four, believes he has an even better shot at winning a state championship than 20 years ago, despite facing the state’s No. 1 team in Lancaster in the semifinals on Thursday night.

“We present problems for people as well,” Forbes said. “One of the things forgotten, we’re 33-1 and that’s not by accident. We played in the Metroplex before. As a matter of fact, the last eight games against the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex we’re 6-2.”

Forbes said his Andress team has some advantages he didn’t have on that Riverside team back in 1995.

“There is one difference in this team,” he said. “The current team is really, really quick. Their conditioning is outstanding and they shoot the ball probably a little bit better from all five spots. I was very proud of the kids 20 years ago and they drew the No. 1 team in the state that night as well (San Antonio East Central). The difference being I think this team has more depth.”

ABC-7 asked Forbes if that means he has a better chance of winning state with Andress?

“Yes, I really do,” Forbes said. “I just think this group is not going to be intimidated.”