Serving the High Plains

Rattlers face off with Santa Fe Prep Saturday

Staff report

The Tucumcari Rattlers basketball team will host the Santa Fe Prep Blue Griffins Saturday at the Snake Pit.

The Rattlers (3-6) will be looking for their second straight win of the New Year at 4:30 p.m. against the Blue Griffins (3-7).

“We need to take better care of the ball, execute our assignments and make free throws in order to win against Santa Fe Prep,” said John Span, Rattlers head coach.

Span said free throws have been an issue plaguing the Rattlers in their recent games.

During Tuesday’s 57-51 win against the East Mountain Timberwolves (3-7) at the Snake Pit, the Rattlers were 5 of 16 from the foul line.

“You make half of the missed free throws (11), and the play of both teams would have been a lot different in the final period,” Span said.

Span said the Rattlers have to find a way to transfer what they do in practice into the game.

“We work on free throws and lay-ups all the time in practice,” Span said. “Yet somehow, we can’t seem to put that to use on the court come game time.”

Span said free throws were an issue during the Jan. 4 66-58 loss to the Tularosa Wildcats at Texico’s tournament. He said the Rattlers made 8 of 14 fouls shots while the Wildcats made 18 of 22.

Turnovers against the Timberwolves were also an issue for the Rattlers.

Span said the team was rushing through the plays rather than setting up the offense. He said as a result of the rushing, there were turnovers that could have been avoided.

“We’ve got to take care of the ball; a turnover is a missed opportunity for us, and possible points for the opponent,” Span said.

The Rattlers will play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Snake Pit.

Schedule

EPAC basketball tournament results and schedule:

Wednesday and Thursday games played at Melrose High School

Friday and Saturday games played at Greyhound Arena at Eastern New Mexico University at Portales

(Seeds in parentheses)

Boys

Wednesday

Game 1: (3) Melrose 68 (6) San Jon 50

Game 4: (7) Logan 61 (10) Elida 41

Today

Game 6: 7:30 p.m., (7) Logan vs (2) Fort Sumner/House

Girls

Wednesday

Game 2: (3) Logan 63 (6) Dora 46

Friday

Game 11: 4 p.m., (3) Logan vs winner (7) Melrose vs (2) Tatum

 
 
Rendered 03/28/2024 15:17