Serving the High Plains

Tucumcari girls win over East Mountain

The Tucumcari girls basketball team grabbed an early lead at East Mountain and kept building on it during a 49-22 victory on Jan. 11.

Tucumcari led 18-10 at halftime and effectively seized control with a 14-3 run in the third quarter.

Alexus Lafferty scored 21 points to lead the Lady Rattlers, and Caylee Benavidez added 17.

“Overall, we played a good game on both ends of the floor,” Tucumcari coach Patrick Benavidez said. “We have struggled putting up points coming out of the half, so the girls really wanted to make that their best quarter, and they did at great job.”

Tucumcari improved to 8-6. East Mountain fell to 1-8.

Coach Benavidez also noted the junior varsity squad, coached by Sarah Jackson, notched its first win with a 24-17 decision, with eight of its 10 girls scoring.

“It’s exciting to see the support the varsity gives the JV and how the JV supports the varsity,” he said.

Tucumcari’s next game at the Snake Pit is Thursday night against Clayton during its annual Homecoming matchup.

The Lady Rattlers also will have a rematch Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Santa Rosa. The Lady Lions defeated Tucumcari 42-37 on Jan. 7.