Rattlers, Longhorns and Coyotes near district finals

link Lady Rattler Melissa Gardea secures the rebound during the Feb. 7 district game against the Lady Lions at Santa Rosa. The Lady Rattlers lost that game 69-37. Lady Rattlers head coach Gary Hittson said boxing out and getting the

rebound and limiting Santa Rosa’s chances at second and third shots will be

key to winning on Friday against the Lady Lions at the Snake Pit.

By Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer

The Tucumcari Rattlers—20-4, 3-2—could lock up the number 2 seed in the district 5 3A with a win Friday night against the Santa Rosa Lions at the Snake Pit.

“The Lions are a team that travels well and it is sure to be rocking in the Snake Pit come Friday night,” said John Span Rattlers head coach.

Span said the Rattlers game plan is the same as it has always been. They are going to shoot the ball when the shot is there. This will also mean making free-throws, which has proven in the past to be a crucial key that can make or break a team in a close game, he said.

Span said last time the two teams met, the Lions shot 19 free-throws in the final period. He said the Rattlers were lucky that Santa Rosa only made six of those 19 foul shots.

“We were very fortunate to come out of Santa Rosa with a win,” Span said. “We can not expect them to shoot the ball the same way they did in Santa Rosa on Friday night.”

Span said the Rattlers will need to play solid defense against the 15-8, 1-3 Lions, while being smart and not getting into foul trouble. He said the Lions will be looking to take advantage of an opening if they are presented with one.

For the Lady Rattlers—9-15, 2-3—a win Friday against the Lady Lions will give them momentum going into the district tournament and keep their state tournament hopes alive.

“We need this win more than we need our two front teeth,” said Gary Hittson, Lady Rattlers head coach.

Hittson said the Lady Rattlers will need to box out, secure the rebounds and prevent the Lady Lions—12-11, 2-2—from controlling the rebounds. In their last game with Santa Rosa, he said, the Lady Rattlers could not secure rebounds, giving the Lady Lions second and third shot chances.

“We’ve got to come out and play defense,” Hittson said.

Game time: 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Snake Pit

The Logan Longhorns 17-4, 3-1 have a crucial district game on Thursday at Dora, where a win could put them into position to force a tie for first between the Longhorns and the 14-5, 4-0 Melrose Buffaloes.

With a win on Thursday, the Longhorns could enter their final home game on Friday against Melrose with a chance to force a playoff game for first place in the upcoming district tournament.

A win Thursday for the Lady Longhorns 17-5, 3-1 will make them even with 17-3, 3-1 Lady Buffaloes and put first place in the district 6 2A on the line.

Game time:

3 p.m., Thursday at Dora

5:30 p.m. Friday at Logan

The San Jon Coyotes 15-5, 3-2, will finish the season in second place in the district 4 1A standings behind first place Grady/House with the chance of hosting district tournament game. The Lady Coyotes 2-18, 0-6, will finish fourth and will be on the road throughout the tournament.

Schedule to be determined