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Cimarron Lady Rams Runner-up at 2015 State Championship

Billy Donati

KRTN Multi-Media

The Cimarron Rams girls basketball team has a strong history of exceptional play and the 2015 team made a great tournament run to make it to the NM Class A Girls State Championship game on Friday, March 13 at the UNM Pit in Albuquerque.   

Although it was Friday the 13th, it was not bad luck that defeated the Lady Rams 75-26, but a #1 seed Elida team that had nothing but good play and good luck shooting as they netted a 42 % average for the game.   From the opening 3 point shot, nailed less than 15 seconds into the game, to a smothering press that the Cimarron girls had trouble with all game, the Elida Lady Tigers proved their top-seeding was no fluke.  With the victory, their fifth straight state championship, the word dynasty is not too strong of a description of the team.

The defeat was certainly not the way the trio of Seniors Jessica Pittman, Selina Rael and Amy Gonzales wanted to end their high school career, but each contributed to three straight wins in the preliminary rounds including a 56-36 opening round win over Quemado, a 51-41 quarterfinal win over Mosquero and a 49-45 nail-biter for a semifinal win over Cliff.   Coach Patricia LeDoux, who coached the 2009 Rams to a State Championship surely deserves  mention in the discussion for a nomination for Coach-of-the-Year, by taking the team from virtually nowhere last year to a 25-5 record this year and a state runner-up trophy.

Amy Gonzales goes for the shot and runs into Madi Haley(11) during the state championship game in the Pit Friday morning.
Amy Gonzales goes for the shot and runs into Madi Haley(11) during the state championship game in the Pit Friday morning.

 

Amy Gonzales and Gentry Haukabo wrestle for the ball during the state championship game with Elida
Amy Gonzales and Gentry Haukabo wrestle for the ball during the state championship game with Elida

 

Lauren Stone (33) and Gentry Haukebo (22) wrestle for the ball Friday morning in the Pit at the state championship ball game
Lauren Stone (33) and Gentry Haukebo (22) wrestle for the ball Friday morning in the Pit at the state championship ball game

 

Another struggle for the ball, this time Gentry Haukabo wins and steal the ball from Elida.
Another struggle for the ball, this time Gentry Haukabo wins and steal the ball from Elida.

 

Jessica Pittman goes to the basket for two of her 14 points during the state tournament game with Elida
Jessica Pittman goes to the basket for two of her 14 points during the state tournament game with Elida

State Championship Cimarron v Elida 3-13-15_8023
The Cimarron Lady Rams Veronica Farmer, Gentry Haukebo, Selena Rael, Jessica Pittman, Amy Gonzales, Angel Gonzales, Mariah Vanderlei, Mary Ickes, Samantha Ogata

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