Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Lady Rattlers were triumphant at Bean Valley third straight year.
The Tucumcari Rattlers have a tough challenge Friday playing against a Pecos team that averages more than 60 points per game this season, said John Span, boys head basketball coach.
"We need to be ready for the press and take care of the ball," Span said. "The Panthers are one of the top teams in the state and they like to put up points."
The Rattlers, (7-7) will travel Friday to Pecos to take on the Panthers (12-2).
Span said the Rattlers have been showing a lot of progress, with their strongest team play during their Jan. 6 win at Santa Fe Prep (53-45). He said the team still has a long way to go but overall they are improving.
"One issue the guys have been working on correcting is taking a shot at the end of an offensive drive," Span said. "There were many times we'd move the ball down the court and not take a shot at the basket."
Span said the Rattlers schedule continues to pit them against stronger opponents, making it important, vital to learn from each encounter.
Gaining confidence with every win, an unbeaten Lady Rattlers basketball team is looking forward to tougher challenges after a week off from action.
"We want to be tested; we can only get better by playing talented teams," said Aliyah Herrera, junior shooting guard.
The Lady Rattlers (15-0) won the Bean Valley Tournament for the third straight year. They defeated Bosque 57-37 on Jan. 6 in the championship. Tucumcari beat Santa Rosa 59-27 and Rehoboth Christian 62-17 in the tournament.
"We can't get comfortable, we cant stop pushing ourselves," Herrera said.
Herrera said the week long break from action will create a situation where the team will have to work twice as hard not to lose their edge.
"Everyone will need to raise their intensity in practice," Herrera said.
The Lady Rattlers are averaging more than 55 points per game, said Gary Hittson, head coach.
Hittson said the Lady Rattlers benefited greatly from playing in the tournament. He said the girls had the opportunity to adjust to different styles of defensive presses and schemes. The girls even had to overcome size disadvantages, Hittson added.
"In the championship game, our posts had to play physical," Hittson said. "It was their best game yet. They made the adjustments and didn't get intimidated."
Hittson said one issue during the tournament was foul trouble. He said the bench players got some valuable court time not just because of a lead, but filling in for players who in foul trouble.
"On defense we have to keep up the pressure but we need to play smart and move our feet," said Jasmine Jones, sophomore forward.
Jones, who got into foul trouble early in the semifinals against Santa Rosa said the key is to call for help when needed and not letting the other player get position over them.