Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari's July Lafferty prepares to shoot against East Mountain defenders during a game on Dec. 17 at Rattler Gymnasium.
The Tucumcari girls basketball team finished a disappointing 1-2 at the Citizens Bank Tournament at Texico, including one that got away on Saturday.
During the third-place game against Magdalena, the Lady Rattlers had a 10-point lead in the first half and a seven-point margin in the third period.
The Steers whittled it down during regulation and eventually prevailed 58-54 in overtime.
Tucumcari missed a bunch of scoring opportunities under the basket during the game and failed to convert six free throws in the last two minutes.
The Lady Rattlers trailed 47-44 with less than six seconds left in regulation, but Caylee Benavidez banked in a 3-point shot from the top of the key to force OT. She finished with a team-high 17 points.
Magdalena made two quick baskets - including a 3-pointer - in overtime to take a five-point lead and never trailed again.
July Lafferty added 14 points, and Maaja Anaya scored 13 for the Lady Rattlers. Tucumcari fell to 6-3.
Magdalena, ranked seventh in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, improved to 9-1.
Tucumcari has Christmas break off, then resumes action at the Lady Rattler Invitational tournament with a game against Zuni (7-3) at 3 p.m. Jan. 2.
Tohatchi 60, Tucumcari 33
Tucumcari spotted Tohatchi a 13-0 lead during a 60-33 loss Friday in the semifinals of the Texico tournament.
Tucumcari trailed 21-6 after the first quarter and faced a 40-15 deficit at halftime.
Cambree Benavidez scored 13 points to lead Tucumcari.
Tohatchi, ranked fourth in Class 3A by MaxPreps.com, improved to 4-3.
The Cougars defeated host Texico 32-25 in the tournament's championship game.
Tucumcari 47, Jal 32
A third-quarter surge lifted the Lady Rattlers past Jal in a 47-32 victory Thursday in the opening round of the Citizens Bank Tournament at Texico.
Tucumcari led just 15-13 at halftime before going on a 12-2 run to start the third quarter and take a double-digit lead.
Cambree Benavidez scored 21 points to lead the Lady Rattlers. Kyla Lopez adee 14 points.
Jal fell to 2-4.
Tucumcari 59, East Mountain 33
The Lady Rattlers' press defense forced a slew of turnovers that fueled a 16-0 lead to start the game during a 59-33 non-district victory on Dec. 17 at home against East Mountain.
Caylee Benavidez scored 21 points to lead Tucumcari, which led 40-16 at halftime. Lafferty added 10 points.
Coach Patrick Benavidez said his team turned in a solid performance, but he saw a soft defense around the perimeter, citing East Mountain's six 3-pointers.
"They shot well, but I let the girls know they have to close those (defensive) gaps because if we do that against a good team, we're in trouble," he said.
East Mountain fell to 1-6.
