Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Monday's snowfall has forced the rescheduling of the 2A and 1A district tournaments for the Tucumcari Rattlers and Logan Longhorn's basketball teams.
The Tucumcari Rattlers and Lady Rattlers will play a double header in district 2 2A starting at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Snake Pit.
The (8-16) (2-4) Lady Rattlers will play the (7-19) (0-6) Santa Rosa Lady Lions.
The Lady Rattlers earned the home court game by beating the Lady Lions 40-34 on Friday at the Snake Pit.
"Despite the win we know we have to play better," said Gary Hittson, Lady Rattler's head coach.
Both teams struggled with shots from the paint, which showed with a half time score tied at 12. The Lady Rattlers faired better at the free throw line making 10-19 while Lady Lions were 11-26.
"We need to take the shot, though we just can't throw it up there," said Hittson. "We need to take the time to shoot a good shot."
We need to play better defense, we were lacking in that area against the Lady Lions, said Esperanza Moncayo, senior.
Moncayo said that many of their shots did not fall, though she said many of the shots taken were rushed.
"We need to slow down and take the time to shoot a good basket," Moncayo said. "We also need to block out to prevent them from getting a second chance shot."
The (12-11) (2-4) Rattlers will play the (16-10) (1-5) Clayton Yellowjackets immediately following the Lady Rattlers game at the Snake Pit.
The Rattlers play the Yellowjackets in the first round of the district tournament following a Friday night 54-52 loss to the (14-11) (4-2) Lions.
The Rattlers trailed 52-50 with nine seconds left in the game, a rebound by Cody Ryen who passed to D'Ontee Sandoval who was fouled set them up for a chance to tie the game.
"My first instinct was to shoot the ball, then I saw D'Ontee open under the basket," Ryen said.
Sandoval made both free throws, though a quick pass down court led to a lay-up by the Lions and left no time for the Rattlers to advance the ball for a shot after they inbound the ball.
"We know what we have to do to be ready for Clayton," said John Span Rattlers head coach.
Span said the Rattlers need to take care of business at home if they want to advance to face Lions in the next round of the playoffs.
"In our district, any of the four teams would be a great representation at state," said Joseph Esquibel, Lions Head Coach.
Snow has also caused a rescheduling of the district 3 1A basketball tournaments.
The (12-14) (2-2) Melrose Lady Buffaloes and (16-9) (2-2) Fort Sumner Vixens game set for 6 p.m., Tuesday at Logan has been moved to Floyd for fear of slick roads.
The loser of that game will host the (18-7) (2-2) Lady Longhorns at 6 p.m., Thursday.
The winner will play at 7 p.m., Saturday at the winner of Tuesday's game for the district championship.
The (15-10) (2-2) Logan Longhorns will host the (6-8) (0-3) Melrose Buffaloes at 6 p.m., Wednesday.
The winner will play at 7 p.m., for the district championship against the (16-8) (3-0) Foxes at Fort Sumner.
