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Rattlers lose district title match to Yellowjackets in overtime

link Rattler Michael Eldridge goes up to block Yellowjacket Kadar Gayle’s jump shot during the District 5 3A championship at Clayton. The Rattlers lost 83-79 in overtime.

QCS Senior Writer

The Tucumcari Rattlers rallied back from an 18-point deficit to force overtime during Monday night’s District 4 3A championship but fell short 83-79 to the Yellowjackets in Clayton.

“We played good enough to win tonight but we missed some opportunities,” said John Span, Rattlers head coach.

At the start of the fourth period the Rattlers 22-5, 5-3 trailed 56-38 with strong play from Yellowjackets Mark Craine 29 points and 23 points from Kadar Gayle.

Span said Gayle's performance tonight was big for Clayton, as he has not had a high scoring game like that against the Rattlers in the past.

Midway in the fourth the Yellowjackets 20-7, 7-0, worked the inside with Craine for points to keep them ahead and rebounded on defense to keep the Rattlers from having any second chance shots that had cut the lead down to seven points (64-57).

“You've got to do a better job of boxing out and getting the ball,” Span said during a time-out.

Spans rally cry was answered by the Rattlers with an eight point swing, first with a 3-pointer from John Paul Garcia and defensive rebound from Zedric Henderson Greene half court pass to Michael Eldrige who found Tyler Ferguson under the goal for the quick lay-up. After a time-out by the Yellowjackets Garcia would make a second 3-pointer giving the Rattlers the lead.

In last minute of the game the lead changed hands four times and with 18 second left D'Ontee Sandoval made two free throws to tie the game 70-70.

Craine managed to rebound his own missed shot over Eldridge who was nearly forced to the ground and put it back up for two points, the lead and what the hometown crowd through was the win.

However, undaunted Eldridge hustled down court was passed the ball drove the lane and scored a buzzer beating lay-up to force overtime.

It all come down to fundamentals in the last 13 seconds of the game, as Gayle who had made 2 free throws earlier giving the Yellowjackets an 82-79 lead was back at the foul line. Gayle made his first shot making it a two-possession game but missed his last free throw.

The Rattlers failed to rebound the loose ball that was scooped up by Clayton and passed around to run out the clock for the win.

The Rattlers will now wait for the state seeding process and the release of the 3A state basketball bracket. They will host a first round game on Saturday time and opponent to be determined.

Offensive leaders for the Rattlers against Clayton

Sandoval 26 points

Garcia 24 points

Eldridge 19 points