Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari girls basketball team scored 30 unanswered points to turn what had been a close contest into a 60-36 blowout of host Estancia in the title game Saturday of the BVC Tournament.
Tucumcari guard Alexus Lafferty was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and teammates Caylee Benavidez, Cambree Benavidez and Kyla Lopez each were named to the all-tournament team.
The Lady Rattlers started the title game with a 9-0 run but saw the Lady Bears rally to within 17-12 early in the second quarter.
Tucumcari then held Estancia scoreless for the next 13 1/2 minutes of the second and third periods.
By the time the Lady Bears finally made a free throw with 1:46 left in the third quarter, the Lady Rattlers were up 47-13.
Lafferty scored 20 points and made nine steals to lead the Lady Rattlers. Caylee Benavidez added 15 points and nine rebounds, and sister Cambree added 14 points. Haisley Huffman added four steals and five points.
“Alexis Ramirez and Haisley Huffman came up with key defensive stops during pivotal points of the game,” Tucumcari coach Patrick Benavidez said. “Baylee Salvador played really hard in the championship game, and July Lafferty always gives the team all she has on the court.”
Coach Benavidez said his team moved the ball well on offense.
“We’ve been working on a few different presses, and the girls are coming up big with defensive stops and steals,” he added. “It was a great tournament for the entire team.”
Tucumcari, ranked seventh in Class 3A by MaxPreps.com, improved to 11-3.
Estancia fell to 6-8.
Tucumcari 59, Santa Rosa 46
The Lady Rattlers came from behind to beat the Lady Lions for a third time this season during a 59-46 victory Friday in the semifinal of the BVC tourney.
Tucumcari trailed 29-22 two minutes into the third period but went on a 23-6 run after that, taking a 45-35 lead by the end of the quarter.
Cambree Benavidez led Tucumcari with 18 points. Caylee Benavidez added 13, and Alexus and July Lafferty each scored 12. July Lafferty also totaled eight rebounds and five steals.
Santa Rosa, ranked fifth in Class 2A by MaxPreps, were 10-5 after the weekend. Three of their five losses this season have come against the Lady Rattlers.
Tucumcari 58, Cottonwood Classical 20
The Lady Rattlers jumped to a 26-5 first-quarter lead during a 58-20 victory Thursday over Cottonwood Classical Prep in the first round of the BVC Tourney.
Tucumcari expanded its lead to 37-10 at halftime and 52-15 after three quarters.
Cambree Benavidez led the Lady Rattlers with 15 points. Alexus Lafferty added 14 points and six steals. July Lafferty added 11 points.
The Coyotes ended the weekend at 3-7.