Buffs notch second tight road win in two nights

Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M.
·5 min read

May 1—LOGAN — The Melrose boys basketball team played its second heart-stopper in two nights on Friday, holding on late for a 54-51 District 6-1A victory over Logan to complete a perfect regular season.

A 3-point play brought the Longhorns (4-2, 3-2 district) to within 53-51 late. After a free throw by the Buffs, Logan missed a potential tying desperation 3-point try as time expired.

Seniors Devon Bailey and Tate Sorgen each had 12 points for Melrose (11-0, 9-0), while senior Trace Jackson chipped in 11. For Logan, coming off a two-week school shutdown for COVID-19 protocols and playing its first game since April 13, seniors Wyatt Wright and Dante Sanchez each scored 17 points.

Meantime, the Lady Buffs, who like the boys claimed a one-point win on Thursday at Fort Sumner, had a little easier time of it, defeating Logan 49-31. They tied the Vixens for the top seed in the district at 10-1 (8-1), but because Fort Sumner won by eight points earlier at Melrose, the Lady Buffs had to settle for the No. 2 position out of the district on a head-to-head points tiebreaker.

Only one at-large team will join the seven district winners in this week's eight-team state tournament, but Melrose appeared to have the inside track on that. Brackets were to be released on Saturday night by the New Mexico Activities Association.

Senior Hailey Martin tallied 15 points and senior Anjalina Sanchez 14 for Melrose, while Logan (4-2, 3-2) got 13 points from junior Reece Goldston.

In other girls games on Friday:

Fort Sumner 51, Clovis Christian 31 — At CCS, the Lady Eagles led the Vixens 19-18 at halftime, but were outscored by Fort Sumner 33-12 over the final two segments.

Senior Kaycee Sultemeier had 14 points, sophomore Avery Cavett 13 and junior Megan Oberg 12 for Fort Sumner, including three 3-pointers each by Sultemeier and Cavett. For CCS (5-6, 3-6), sophomore Sofia De Groot tallied 14 of her game-high 20 points in the first half.

Grady 65, Texico JV 42 — Senior Teryn Foote closed out her career with a personal-best 35 points, hitting six 3-pointers and going 7-for-8 from the free throw line, while senior Krissy Grau added 10 in a game added this week after San Jon had to cancel out. For the JV Lady Wolverines, Catelyn Breshears had 18 points and Kaya New 10, each hitting a pair of 3s.

In other Friday night boys tilts:

Fort Sumner 85, Clovis Christian 76 — In a battle for second place in District 6-1A, the Foxes (8-3, 6-3) put together three quarters of at least 23 points and held off the homestanding Eagles (7-4, 5-4), who closed a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to three in the final two minutes.

Senior Kane Burney led four Fort Sumner players in double digits with 23 points, followed by senior Jayden Cline with 15, sophomore Clay Norman with 12 and freshman Joaquin Segura with 11. The Eagles got 21 points from sophomore Carter Teune, a personal-best 19 from senior Dawson Teune and 10 from senior Tyler Lingnau.

Grady 59, Texico JV 56 — The host Bronchos (3-8) held off the Texico JV in a seesaw matchup. Freshman Zane Rush scored 16 points, including two free throws in the closing seconds, while senior Isaiah Mitchell added 15 for Grady.

The JV Wolverines got three 3-pointers and 27 points from freshman Cade Figg.

In boys action on Thursday:

Pecos 65, Texico 55 — The Panthers (9-2, 4-1 District 6-2A), four-time defending Class 2A state champions, used a 20-13 surge in the second quarter to gain control. With a win at Clayton on Saturday, Pecos would share the district title with the Wolverines (8-3, 5-1).

Assuming they end tied for the district title, both teams figure to earn Class 2A state tournament berths, including one of three at-large spots. The only loss for Pecos outside the district was at unbeaten Class 3A Las Vegas Robertson, while the Wolverines fell at Class 5A Clovis and to Class 4A Portales.

Seniors Rolando Sandoval and Dana Benavidez led Pecos with 16 and 15 points, respectively. For Texico, senior Anders Nelson with 18 points and sophomore Max Villarreal with 16 each set personal scoring highs.

Melrose 47, Fort Sumner 46 — Sorgen's 3-point play with 30 seconds left lifted the Buffaloes into the lead, and they survived missing the front ends of two 1-and-1s in the remaining time.

The Foxes led 27-19 at halftime, but Melrose took a four-point lead after three with an 18-6 surge. The game seesawed down the stretch.

Sorgen finished with 17 points for the Buffs, while Bailey added 11 and freshman Michael Cardonita 10. For Fort Sumner, Cline led the way with 13 points.

In Thursday's girls games:

Melrose 39, Fort Sumner 38 — The Lady Buffs managed only 11 first-half points and trailed by 17 in the third quarter before storming back to win at previously unbeaten Fort Sumner behind 18 points from Martin. She got 17 of them in the final two cantos.

For the Vixens, Cavett scored 12 points and Oberg added 11.

Pecos 55, Texico 21 — The District 6-2A champion Lady Panthers (10-0, 4-0) made it tough on Texico, holding the Lady Wolverines (3-7, 1-4) to just seven first-half points.

Sophomore Mistidawn Roybal led Pecos with 15 points, while senior Trinity Herrera added 10. Texico's top scorer was senior Riley Rohrbach with 12 points.