County basketball teams looking for strong finish

Quay County high school's basketball teams are looking for a strong finish in their district competition for the regular season.

QCS photos: Thomas Garcia

Destanie Nathan shoots a layup during Tuesday's practice as they prepare for Friday's district game with the Santa Rosa Lady Lions at the Snake Pit.

The (11-9) (2-3) Tucumcari Rattlers will be playing a familiar foe Friday with a second place standing in the district 2 2A at stake.

A win will put us in a tie with the Santa Rosa for second place, said John Span, Rattlers head coach.

Span said a win by more than nine points on Friday would give the Rattlers a home game on Thursday. He said below nine points the Rattlers would host a game on Tuesday.

"It's good to have the later game in the district tournament," Span said. "It gives your team a chance to rest and be ready."

Span said with the level of competition in the Rattlers district any one team can beat another at any time. He said it's that level of competition which thrills the team and makes this point in the season so much fun.

For the (7-14) (1-2) Lady Rattlers a win would mean a home game Monday against the Lady Lions or a loss put them on the road to the Lions' Den in Santa Rosa.

"We can have a home game, or simply be on the road throughout the tournament," said Gary Hittson, Lady Rattlers head coach.

Hittson said it is going to come down to making free throws and making the shots from inside the paint. He said the team will need to play with heart Friday if they want a chance to play in front of their home crowd for the district tournament.

The Longhorns and Coyotes will also be in district action this week.

The (15-5) (2-1) San Jon Coyotes and (4-15) (1-2) Lady Coyotes will play at 4 p.m., Thursday against Grady.

The (14-9) (2-2) Logan Longhorns and (17-6) (2-2) Lady Longhorns will play at 6 p.m., Thursday vs Springer.