Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Season ends on 57-47 loss in quarterfinal play.
Tucumcari's Jasmine Jones shoots the lay up during the March 2 Class 3A state tournament first round win against Rehoboth Christian at the Snake Pit.
The Tucumcari Lady Rattlers basketball season ended with a loss to a district opponent in the quarterfinals of the 3A state tournament in Albuquerque.
"I am proud of how the girls played," said Gary Hittson, Lady Rattlers head coach.
Hittson said in their final game of the season several of the younger Rattlers showed a spark that has him excited about the future.
"We had some bench players step up in a big way," Hittson said. "There is plenty of reasons to still be excited about Lady Rattler basketball."
The Lady Rattlers (25-5) lost 57-47 on March 6 to the Clayton Lady Yellowjackets. The two teams, members of District 5-3A, had played each other three times prior to the quarterfinals game. Clayton had won two of the three encounters.
"I wish I could replay the regular season game against Clayton," said Ashley Shipley, sophomore shooting guard.
Shipley said the last regular season lost at Clayton set in motion a series of events that impacted how the team entered the state tournament. She said things could have been much different if they had won.
"I still think our season was a success, even if we didn't win the championship," Shipley said.
The Lady Rattlers season included a 23-game win streak, the longest wining streak in school history.
"I wish we could have won the quarterfinals game against Clayton," said Aliyah Herrera, junior shooting guard.
Herrera said she wanted another chance to play Texico, the team that ended the win streak with a 59-55 win over the Lady Rattlers on Feb. 2 at the Snake Pit. Texico went on to win the title, scoring a late basket to top Tohatchi 48-47.
"It may have not ended the way we wanted, but there is still a lot of basketball yet to be played," Herrera said.
Lady Longhorns out of semifinals
The Logan Lady Longhorns lost in the semifinals of the 2A state tournament to an opponent they had beaten four times prior in the season.
The Lady Longhorns (21-6) fell short 40-38 on March 8 to the Fort Sumner/House Vixens, who went on to win the 2A state championship title.
The Logan Longhorns' 2A state run ended with a quarterfinals loss on March 7 to the Mesilla Valley Christian SonBlazers.
The Longhorns (14-12) lost 77-57.
Attempts to contact Logan players and coaches were unsuccessful as of press time.