Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari girls basketball team opened district play Thursday with a resounding 59-13 victory over New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell.
The Lady Rattlers stormed to leads of 7-0 and 21-2 in the first half. NMMI made only one field goal during much of the half due to Tucumcari’s smothering defense.
Tucumcari scored 25 unanswered points to start the third quarter for a 51-9 lead.
After that, coach Patrick Benavidez began emptying the benches amid a running clock because of the 35-point mercy rule.
“They played a great game and all contributed to a great win,” Benavidez said. “We pressed well, and I was very proud of them.”
Alexus Lafferty scored 20 points to lead Tucumcari, and Caylee Benavidez added 13.
Emily Spaniel led the Lady Colts with eight points.
The Lady Rattlers honored 15-year-old Jayden Gloms, who died in a vehicle accident the previous week, by draping a No. 22 jersey on a bench chair during the game. No. 22 was Gloms’ uniform number on the junior varsity boys basketball team.
When the Lady Rattlers scored their 22nd point of the game, coach Benavidez took a timeout, and the team stayed on the floor in remembrance of Jayden.
Lafferty, a senior who has worn No. 22 for years, switched to No. 12 as her uniform number. Caylee Benavidez, who wore No. 12, switched to No. 30.
Tucumcari improved to 12-6 overall. NMMI fell to 2-7, 0-2.