Lady Rattlers (19-0) slam Logan, Bosque

An undefeated record won't mean nothing if the Lady Rattlers are not prepared to handle business in their district opener at Santa Rosa, said Gary Hittson, Tucumcari head girls coach.

The Lady Rattlers (19-0) remain unbeaten beating the Logan Lady Longhorns 59-41 on Friday for Homecoming and Bosque 55-35 on Friday at Albuquerque.

"We cannot get lazy; we have to continue to play with intensity even if we have a lead," said Kalani French, senior forward.

French, who scored 15-points against Logan, said it is important that the team not become complacent with their winning streak. She said it is vital for each of them to keep pushing to get better.

Senior forward Jasmine Jones, who scored 10 points against Logan, said the team needs to play smart and be disciplined to avoid fouling. She said there are several factors working against the team when their opponent goes to the line to shoot free throws.

"The clock is your enemy, that is what I told the girls," Hittson said. "As long as they are shooting free throws they are catching up and no time is coming off the clock."

Jones said she and the rest of the team needs to 'move their feet," on defense. She said the key to competing against tough teams like those in their district, is being mindful of the game situation and playing smart.

"It is going to be difficult to play Santa Rosa at home," Hittson said. "Santa Rosa has always been tough to beat when they have the home court advantage."

The Lady Rattlers will play their second District 5-3A game against the Clayton Lady Yellowjackets Saturday at the Snake Pit in Logan

Game time:

Friday: 5:30 p.m., Thursday at Santa Rosa

Saturday: 5:30 p.m., Clayton

Rattlers face Santa Rosa on the road

The second season is set to begin for the Tucumcari Rattlers basketball team as they travel Thursday to Santa Rosa to play the Lions for the District 5-3A opener.

"We are going to have to play hard, match the Lions' intensity and make free throw shots," said John Span, Rattlers head coach.

Span said at the start of district play the each team's records are reset to 0-0. He said the wins earlier in the season helped with confidence, development and state seeding.

"For us, it shows that we have to be ready to make the free throws, those shots have been crucial in the past two games," Span said.

The Rattlers (9-10) won their Homecoming game 63-47 on Thursday against the Logan Longhorns. During that game the Rattlers were 16-41 from the foul line. On Friday the Rattlers beat Bosque 61-60 at Albuquerque.

"The free throws almost came back and bit us against Bosque," Span said.

Against Bosque the Rattlers were 20 of 36 from the foul line. Span said in the fourth period alone the Rattlers were 10 of 20 from the free throw line.

"We barley won that game, but if we had taken care of business at the foul line it would have been a much different game in the final minute," Span said. "Bosque was in a position where they had to foul; we should have made our shots and put the game away."

Span said Santa Rosa likes to get the ball inside to their large posts and on defense they know they are going to press the Rattlers. He said the key to competing against the 4th ranked Lions will be matching their physical play and intensity right out of the gate.

The Rattlers will play their second District 5-3A game against the Clayton Yellowjackets Saturday at the Snake Pit in Logan.

Game time:

Friday: 7 p.m., at Santa Rosa

Saturday: 7 p.m., Clayton