Goddard edges Lady Rattlers

Despite a heroic effort by Tucumcari senior Caylee Benavidez, the Lady Rattlers lost a thrilling 63-61 non-district girls basketball game Friday against visiting Class 4A power (Roswell) Goddard.

Benavidez scored a team-high 30 points - including a game-tying shot after a steal with 1:10 left - and grabbed 10 rebounds.

But the Rockets' Ashlee Buck then scored an inside bucket on a fastbreak and teammate Lauren Medrano made two free throws during the final minute to secure their team's win.

July Lafferty added 13 points for the Lady Rattlers.

Tucumcari, ranked fifth in Class 2A by MaxPreps.com, fell to 11-4.

Goddard, ranked eighth in Class 4A, improved to 11-7.

THS coach Patrick Benavidez, while disappointed by the loss, was pleased his team made a strong showing against a much bigger squad.

"We were easily outsized by them," he said, "It's hard to swallow whenever you're that close to beating a team like that.

"But at the same time, it's a good accomplishment to even be in that game. Goddard plays a lot of good teams. For us to play like that before district is exciting."

Goddard coach Chris Roybal said he felt fortunate to come away with a victory.

"It's always nice to sneak away with the win when you don't play well," he said. "We had a lot a lot of turnovers. We weren't getting our spots defensively, and they did a great job on the boards.

"Tucumcari played a really good game, and they should do really well at state."

Though few in Rattler Gymnasium probably noticed at the time, Goddard likely secured its victory with its shooting from the 3-point arc and the foul line.

The Rockets made 11 of 14 shots (78%) from the free throw line, compared to the Lady Rattlers' 12-of-22 (54%).

Goddard also made six 3-pointers (led by Aubrie Bolanos' four for a team-high 18 points), while Tucumcari made one.

"I know we missed (free throws) near the end that could have kept it that much closer," Coach Benavidez said. "They hit some threes, too ... got some good rolls when they were hitting the top of the rim."

Neither team had more than an eight-point lead.

Tucumcari raced to a 7-0 lead early, many on fastbreak baskets that surprised the Rockets.

"Tucumcari came out ready to play. They kind of shell-shocked us," Roybal said. "It took us a little bit to get our bearings."

Goddard responded with 10 unanswered points.

Continuing a back-and-forth pace, Tucumcari led 17-15 after the first period and trailed 29-28 at intermission.

Tucumcari appeared to be on the verge of letting the game get out of reach when the Rockets rallied for a 45-37 lead midway through the third period.

The Lady Rattlers switched up their press defense and scored three times off steals for eight unanswered points to tie it 45-45, sending the THS fans into a tizzy.

"That's just the heart of the girls," coach Benavidez said. "They don't look across the court and think they're beat against any team."

Tucumcari trailed by as much as five in the fourth quarter, but Caylee Benavidez kept scoring on slashing moves to the basket. She scored 11 points in the final period.

"That No. 12, Benavidez, she ran by our girls and made a lot of layups," Roybal said. "We were trying to stop penetration, and she just kept going right by us."

Despite Benavidez's game-tying shot with 1:10 left, the Lady Rattlers never could quite get over the hump and establish a late lead.

"We had some shots there at the end to go ahead, but that just the way it goes," the THS coach said.

Tucumcari 64, Cimarron 36

The Lady Rattlers' strong defense enabled them to secure a 64-36 victory over non-district opponent Cimarron on Jan. 14.

Tucumcari's mix of defensive presses kept the Lady Rams off balance, enabling THS to take leads of 31-17 at intermission and 51-31 after three quarters.

Lafferty led the Lady Rattlers with 22 points and six steals. Cambree Benavidez added 16 points. Maaja Anaya totaled 10 points, and Caylee Benavidez made a team-high 11 assists and seven rebounds.

"July and Caylee were just overwhelming for them," coach Benavidez said. "Whenever we do that full-court man (defense), teams really struggle with it."

Cimarron fell to 7-5.