By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Lady Tigers took to the court first Saturday afternoon as they hosted the Academy for Technology and the Classics.
It was a much different game than the one they played Friday evening against Pecos as ATC is one of the newer programs in the state. The JV game started out with Raton taking the early lead and with a strong defense held ATC to single digit quarters throughout the game. Under the shooting of Rhiannon Muniz Raton posted a 14 point first quarter but fell cold with only four in the second. The Lady Tigers picked it back up in the third and pasted 11. At the final buzzer Raton had posted a 33-24 win
ATC 4 5 7 9 24
Raton 14 4 11 4 33
The varsity girls took a quick lead much different than Friday evening game with Pecos and played a more confident game. As coach Victor Esparza told KRTN he was happy with their play both night but Saturday offered an opportunity for the girls to do some things they didn’t get to Friday. Playing a more aggressive style Saturday allowed Raton to try out the press which worked well for Raton holding ATC to four and six points in the first half.
Esparza also noted the girls worked the ball inside and made shots they needed. The girls really jelled in the third quarter as they hustled and played a style of team ball that took them to the basket often and successfully posting a 21 point quarter. The play continued into the fourth where the girls posted a 16 point quarter. Andie Ortega came off the bench for Raton posted an 18 point performance and contributed ball handling to the offense as well.
ATC 4 6 11 8 29
Raton 12 8 21 16 57
ATC High Point
Felicity Sealy 15 2 of 7 free throws
Ashley Zapata 14 2 of 8 free throws
Free Throws 4 of 15 attempts
Raton High Point
Andie Ortega 18 1 of 1 free throws
Free throws 6 of 9 attempts
The Boys in a change up of teams took to the court hosting the Escalante Lobos Saturday afternoon where the resulting scores were better than Friday evening against Pecos but Raton still found themselves on loosing side of the ball.
Coach Jose Archuleta told KRTN he is seeing the improvement in the boys as each game passes. If nothing else the fans are seeing the change in discipline and even though Raton doesn’t have a winning record the young team is coming together and running the plays and working the ball in which Archuleta noted was a good thing he saw Saturday as the boys took on a fast run and gun team in the Lobos.
The JV boys took to the court first and kept it close in the first quarter with Raton taking the lead 13-12. The press, fast and aggressive play however shut the Tigers down in the second as Escalante posted an 18 point quarter. Raton came back and played a good second half staying close in scoring to the Lobos with both teams scoring double digits. But the second quarter was the difference in the score at the final buzzer.
Escalante 12 18 16 11 57
Raton 13 0 14 13 40
The Raton varsity boys took the quick lead and played a great first half quarter but soon fell cold and shocked as the Lobos pressed and played a very aggressive brand of ball that simply shut the boys down as Escalante went on to post a 31 point quarter.
Once over the shock of things Raton settled down and began to play the kind of ball Archuleta has been looking for in the Tigers. They competed with Escalante and gradually closed the point spread later in the game. While the deficit was to big to makeup they made the plays and got the rebounds they needed to, to close the gap some.
Archuleta is hoping the boys will continue to gel and by district time in a couple of weeks will be ready to start their winning streak and make a run for the state tourney.
Escalante 31 14 16 21 82
Raton 12 17 13 15 57
Escalante High Point
Dominic Moalaño 20 4 of 6 free throws
Waylon Hinds 10 2 of 6 free throws
Tristen Martinez 13 1 of 2 free throws
Free Throws 13 of 26 attempts
Raton High Point
Jonathan Cabriales 17 5 of 9 free throws
Asutin Jones 17 3 of 3 free throws
