Fast start helps Melrose top Logan

LOGAN - The Melrose boys basketball team wanted a fast start during its district matchup against Logan, and it got it during a 62-51 victory on Thursday.

The Buffaloes surged to leads of 11-2 and 15-6 in the first quarter. Melrose (13-4), ranked third in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, led by as many as 20 and never let the Longhorns get closer than 10 in the second half.

"We challenged them to start fast," first-year Buffs coach Drew Hatley said. "We beat Logan at the Reserve Tournament last weekend and knew Coach Griffiths would have them ready to play. We knew we'd better start fast, or we'd have ourselves in a ballgame. Give credit to our guys: They responded well to the challenge."

Logan coach Kyle Griffiths saw one reason for his team's district-opening loss.

"We just didn't make shots, and that was the difference," he said. "I thought the kids competed and played hard, but the shots weren't falling tonight."

The Longhorns lost 71-50 to the Buffaloes in the title game of the Reserve Tournament the previous Saturday. Griffiths saw Thursday's performance as an improvement.

"They did beat us a few times for rebounds, but we did a much better job today handling their pressure," he said. "Last week, we struggled against the press."

Diego Sanchez led the Longhorns with 15 points, and Brock Burns added 12. Logan fell to 13-6.

Michael Cardonita and Cy Draper each scored 16 points to lead Melrose.

Melrose was coming off a 63-53 district loss Tuesday at Fort Sumner, widely considered to be a top contender for the 1A title.

"Fort Sumner is as good as advertised," Hatley said. "Coach (Brad) Holland does a good job with them, and the community has high expectations for their kids. It's going to take a lot in 1A basketball to knock them off.

"We'll just continue to build and try to get better for district, and maybe we'll see those guys down the road somewhere."

Hatley this season took over the Buffs boys basketball and football program after 18 years at Clovis High School.

Previous coach Kevin Lackey shifted to coach Melrose's girls basketball program, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, after the Lady Buffs' previous coach, Caleb King, took a coaching position in Olney, Texas.

"Coach Lackey has helped me out a ton, just continuing what he's done," Hatley said. "I'd be pretty stupid to not pay attention to a guy who's won three state championships."

Logan 69, Clovis Christian 53

The Longhorns rebounded Saturday with a solid 69-53 victory at defending district champion Clovis Christian.

Logan never let the Eagles creep closer than eight points in the fourth quarter.

"I felt like we locked in defensively and kept them from getting hot from the outside," Griffith said. "Offensively, we made shots and played together really well. Our ball movement was outstanding. We needed a big win after a couple of tough losses."

Kaeden Stoner led the Longhorns with 20 points, and Burns added 15. Logan improved to 14-6 overall and 1-1 in district play.

Clovis Christian fell to 13-4, 1-1.