By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It was a close game for the JV boys while the Raton girls made it a big win and varsity boys loose the lead for a big loss Thursday evening in Tiger Gym as Raton hosted Cottonwood Classical a school from Albuquerque.
JV Boys
The Coyotes took the early lead and blew it out in the second quarter by outscoring Raton 24-4 to create a commanding lead of 39-17 at halftime. During the halftime break something happened as Raton came out of the locker room and tore up the second half of the game. In the third quarter Raton came alive and put the press on and played a tough brand of ball that produced turnovers and points scoring 25 in the third. The fourth quarter saw the Coyotes go to the free throw line for 24 shots which produced 14 points and the only points for the Coyotes in the fourth. By contrast Raton went to the line three times but made the points to pull out the win in the final minutes of the game 64-60
JV Boys
Cottonwood 15 24 11 14 60
Raton 13 4 25 18 64
Varsity Girls
The Raton girls struggled a little in the first quarter with the Lady Coyote defense but soon put things together for a big second quarter defensively holding Cottonwood to only four points. Raton worked the boards and pressed the Lady Coyotes and as the second half went scored big while holding Cottonwood to only 18 points in the second half to Raton’s 32.
Cottonwood 10 4 10 8 32
Raton 13 11 16 16 56
Cottonwood High Point
Aidyn Hesus 12 4 of 8 free throws
Free Throws 10 of 22 attempts
Raton High Point
Estrella Vargas 18 7 of 10 free throws
Sydni Silva 13 1 of 4 free throws
Free Throws 14 of 29 attempts
Varsity Boys
Raton kept the game fairly close and actually had the lead a couple of times with the last one in the third quarter before the press and a strong defense causing turnovers and making points allowed the Coyotes to pull out a big lead for the final buzzer.
Raton kept the first half fairly close going into halftime down by five 32-27. Raton returned from the locker room and played ball and actually took the lead back at 33-32. But that was the end of that as the Coyotes came clawing back and put on a full court press that stifled Raton to only six points in the third which would be the big difference in the game.
Cottonwood 16 16 14 16 62
Raton 12 15 6 13 46
Cottonwood High Point
Josiah Anaya 15 points
Vishal Patel 13 2 of 2 free throws
Ryan Nieto 13 1 of 3 free throws
Free throws 8 of 17 attempts
Raton High Point
Jonathan Cabrieles 15 3 of 6 free throws
Austin Jones 12 4 of 6 free throws
Free throws 12 of 25 attempts
