Serving the High Plains

Lady Longhorns fall at quarterfinals

QCS staff

The Logan Lady Longhorns fell 57-49 to the Tatum Coyotes Tuesday at the state 1A basketball quarterfinals in Albuquerque.

“I am real proud of the girls and can’t wait till next year,” said Lady Longhorns head coach Clair Rachor.

The Lady Coyotes’ aggressive rebounding throughout the second and third period kept the Lady Longhorns from closing the double digit gap.

“We allowed them to attack us in the second and third quarters,” Rachor said. “That gave them to opportunity to develop that lead.”

With no second or third chance shot opportunities, the Lady Longhorns would begin to rush and foul the Lady Coyotes to keep them from scoring an open basket.

“We put them on the line too many times,” Rachor said. “They shot 51 free-throws while we only shot 20.”

Midway through the final period, the Lady Longhorns began to pressure the Lady Coyotes. Their efforts were in vain as the Lady Coyotes continued to build on their 16 point lead.

“I’m not making any excuses,” Rachor said. “Though some of our girls were not at 100 percent.”

Rachor said several of his players were still recovering from a stomach flu virus. He said they could fall back on the sickness as an excuse, but that is not their style.

“Even though they were not 100 percent, they gave it their all,” Rachor said. “In that first period the adrenaline was pumping and we were ahead 17-7.”

Rachor said once the stress of playing in a state game wore off, fatigue began to kick in and the girls struggled but still carried on.

“I won’t take anything away from Tatum,” Rachor said. “They are great players and a well coached team. I can’t wait too see them again next year.”

The Lady Longhorns finish the season with a 17-8 record.

Logan 75, Des Moines 59 — The Logan Longhorns were still alive in 1A state basketball quarterfinals after defeating the 14th-seeded Des Moines Demons 75-59 Saturday.

The Longhorns are scheduled to play at 3 p.m., Wednesday at Bernallio High School in Albuquerque against the Capitan Tigers in quarterfinals.

The 5-seed San Jon Coyotes will begin their run in the Class B state basketball tournament as they play at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Bernallio High School against the fourth-seeded Reserve Mountaineers.