Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Tucumcari girls basketball team secured bragging rights against Quay County rival Logan for another year.
The Lady Rattlers overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half to notch a 61-53 victory Friday at Logan. Tucumcari capped the last four minutes of the game with a 15-6 run.
Tucumcari’s Caylee Benavidez had a monster game, with 37 points and 15 rebounds. It was the highest-scoring game for a Lady Rattler since Ashley Shipley scored 38 in a state tournament game against Navajo Prep in 2020.
Kyla Lopez added 13 points and nine rebounds. July Lafferty had 11 rebounds and six steals.
Hailee Robertson led the Lady Longhorns with 12 points, and Marilyn Moreno added 10.
Tucumcari trailed 15-4 at one point in the first quarter and 18-8 at the end of the period.
“We stepped up our defense and hit two big threes, with Caylee and Kyla both hitting one,” THS coach Patrick Benavidez said. “Then the team just picked the defensive pressure and we just started taking the ball to the basket.
“In the pregame we talked about taking midrange shots and then attacking the offensive boards. Kirksey Smith really had a breakout game as well with seven rebounds and four big points down the stretch.”
The Lady Rattlers whittled the deficit to 27-26 by halftime but still trailed 47-46 with four minutes left before starting their big run.
“Logan has some good ball handlers and shooters and are very well coached, but when we were down 16 we knew we had to pick up the pressure and we threw every defense we had at them to limit their offense,” Benavidez said.
“We got outworked all night long,” Logan coach Dustin Robertson said.
Tucumcari, winners of three in a row, improved to 6-1. Logan fell to 6-4.
Logan 58, Santa Rosa 17
The Lady Longhorns scored the first nine points of the game, setting the tone for a 58-17 victory over visiting Santa Rosa on Thursday.
Logan led 34-10 at halftime and 52-11 after three quarters.
Desta Rose led the Lady Longhorns with 17 points, and Hailee Robertson added 12.
The Lady Lions fell to 1-4.
Wildorado JV 26, San Jon 23
A slim halftime lead withered away for the San Jon girls basketball team during a 26-23 home loss against the Wildorado (Texas) junior varsity on Dec. 18.
San Jon had a 7-6 lead at intermission, but Wildorado outscored the Lady Coyotes 11-7 in the final quarter to decide the game.
Lady Coyotes coach Gib Donovan said he was encouraged, however.
“The team played their hearts out, and I couldn’t be more proud,” Donovan said. “It was exciting to see them growing as ballplayers as we’ve gone back to basics this season. Our team plays well together, and their communication is excellent. They really lead each other when they are on the court. I’m excited to see how the rest of the season plays out.”
Sarah Archuleta led San Jon with 10 points, three assists and three blocked shots. Charlotte Graham grabbed 12 rebounds.
San Jon fell to 1-4.