Serving the High Plains

Rattlers battle for second rank in District 5

The team is set to play Santa Rosa 5 p.m. Saturday.

Tucumcari, Logan and San Jon boys and girls basketball teams are preparing for district opponents with several teams playing for first and second place.

The Tucumcari Rattlers will have to box out, fight for the rebound and limit the Lions' second chance shot opportunities Saturday at Santa Rosa, according to John Span, Rattlers head coach.

Span said the Rattlers (8-11, 1-1) have to do a better job of taking care of the ball, play as a team and be more aggressive when going to the basket. He said the team cannot afford to give the Santa Rosa Lions (11-6, 1-1) any edge during Saturday's District 5 3-A game.

The Rattlers and Lions are 1-1 in district play, both having a loss to the Texico Wolverines and wins against the Clayton Yellowjackets.

Tucumcari lost 61-45 on Jan. 29 at Texico.

Span said against the Wolverines (16-5, 2-0) the Rattlers were 3 of 4 from the foul line. He said the Rattlers have to do a better job of getting to the line.

"We are fighting for second place in District 5," Span said. "Both teams will have a lot to play for this Saturday."

Game time will be 5 p.m. at Santa Rosa.

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The Lady Rattlers (15-5, 1-1) will also be playing for second place in the District 5 3-A standings Saturday when they take on the Lady Lions (9-8, 1-1) at Santa Rosa.

"The girls have to play with intensity for 32 minutes," said Gary Hittson, Lady Rattlers head coach.

Hittson said the team's earlier wins against Santa Rosa has helped prepare them for Saturday's game, but the Lady Rattlers are not looking past Santa Rosa.

Basketball roundup

Rattlers

The Lady Rattlers will be trying to shake off a 60-44 loss on Jan. 28 at Texico.

Currently, the Lady Wolverines are in first place in district with a 15-6, 2-0 record.

Game time will be 3:30 p.m. at Santa Rosa.

Longhorns

The Logan Longhorns (7-10, 1-0) have a chance to move into first place of the District 4 2-A standings on Thursday when they play Fort Sumner/House at Logan.

The Longhorns game against the Foxes (16-3, 1-0) follows Saturday's 61-49 homecoming win against Mountainair (7-12, 0-2).

Game time will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Logan.

Lady Longhorns

The Lady Longhorns (16-3, 1-0) won their first district 4 2-A game 74-11 Saturday against Mountainair and will face Fort Sumner/House Thursday at Logan.

A win against the Lady Vixens (13-6, 1-0) will put the Lady Longhorns first in district.

Game time will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Logan.

Coyotes

San Jon Coyotes (8-5, 4-1) play for first place in district 3 1-A standings Thursday against the Melrose Buffaloes (14-6, 4-0) at Melrose.

Game time will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Melrose.

Lady Coyotes

The San Jon Lady Coyotes (0-5, 0-5) will play against the first place Melrose Lady Buffaloes (12-7, 4-0) Thursday at Melrose.

Game time will be 5:30 p.m.,Thursday at Melrose (12-7, 4-0).

 
 
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