Rattlers in tournament play Longhorns in single game action

link Lady Rattlers Melissa Gardea shots a layup after

beating two Lady Demon defenders on the baseline

during Saturday night’s 49-38 loss to Dexter.

By Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer

Quay County schools are on winter break, but some area high school basketball teams will be in single game action and tournament play over the vacation period.

The Tucumcari Rattlers (8-2) will be competing on Monday at the Citizens Bank tournament at Texico.

“Its going to be a good tournament and we will get to play some tough teams,” said John Span, Rattlers head coach.

The Rattlers will be well rested for the tournament with over a week separating them from their 74-32 routing of the Dexter Demons on Dec. 18 at the Snake Pit.

Span said he was proud of how the Rattlers played against Dexter, though he would have like to see the Rattlers improve their 7-of-14 success rate wirht free throws. There were several missed three-pointers, where the shooter could have gone in for the lay-up.

“When you are making the three-pointers all is good, but when you’re missing three out of four that’s when you want your guys to drive to the basket and make those points,” Span said.

Span said the Rattlers had a large lead on the Demons, so their missed shots from the perimeter did not come back to haunt them. He said in a closer match-up, those missed outside shots can turn the tide of the game quickly.

“We are going to work on free-throws like we do every practice and work on not just seeing the open lane but taking it for the sure points,” Span said.

Game time: The Rattlers play at 2 p.m., Monday against Muleshoe, Texas at Texico.

The Lady Rattlers (3-4) will also be competing Monday at the Texico tournament.

The Lady Rattlers won their last game 56-46 Friday night against Mesa Vista at the Snake Pit.

The win is a boost for the Lady Rattlers after a 49-38 loss the night before to the Dexter Lady Demons.

Game time: The Lady Rattlers play at 7 p.m., against Muleshoe, Texas at Texico.

The San Jon Coyotes (8-1) and Lady Coyotes (2-7) will not be in action until Jan. 3 but enter their break with a pair of wins Friday night over Channing, Texas.

The Logan Longhorns (7-2) placed third on Saturday at the Orange and Black Classic tournament at Clayton.

They won third by defeating Boise City, Oklahoma, 76-73.

Overall, the tournament was good despite having to face a junior varsity team in the first round, said Randy Robertson, Longhorns head coach.

Robertson said playing a JV team gave the Longhorns’ younger players a chance to get some floor time but it was not beneficial to the varsity squad. He said despite the slow start the tournament was good for the Longhorns.

The Longhorns settled for third place after a second-round loss of 61-49 to Felt, Oklahoma.

Robertson said both Oklahoma teams were great ball clubs and were well coached. He said it was great to play teams of that caliber and have a different match up with teams that are unfamiliar.

Robertson said the Longhorns will travel on Dec. 30 to play Coronado a team he does not know much about, but when the team returns from the Christmas holiday they will be hard at work preparing for Coronado. Robertson said the Longhorns are also excited about drawing the number one seed in the EPAC tournament that will be taking place in January at Melrose.

Game time: The Logan Longhorns play at 2 p.m., Dec. 30 at Coronado.

The Lady Longhorns (7-2) won second place Saturday at the Orange and Black Classic tournament at Clayton.

The Lady Longhorns lost 51-43 to the host Lady Yellowjackets in the championship game. They had a first round win 65-21 against Raton and a second round 71-69 win over Stratford, Texas.

The Lady Longhorns will also be traveling Dec. 30 to Coronado.

Game time: 12:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at Coronado.

The Grady/House hosted a tournament Friday and Saturday at House.

Teams competing in the event were the Grady/House Bronchos (5-4) and the Lady Bronchos (7-2), Quemado and Reserve.

Day one scores:

Bronchos 62

Reserve 49

Lady Bronchos 31

Reserve 22

Day two scores:

Quemado 65

Bronchos 40

Lady Bronchos 40

Quemado 27