Close games were the order of the night at Raton Tiger Gym as Springer came to town to play on Tuesday, January 30 with the Raton girls winning 49 – 43 and the Springer boys winning 52 -47.
The girls game was close the whole way as the Lady Tigers and Lady Red Devils tied at 10 apiece after the first 8 minutes. Raton lead by four at half on balanced scoring, but Springer came back to lead by two going into the fourth period.
Raton sank nine free throws in the fourth and was 19 of 25 from the line to win their second game in a row.
Raton was lead by Hallie Medina with 10, Anna Acosta with 9, Andie Ortega with 8, Jadeyn Walton with 6, Autumn Archuleta and Camryn Mileta each had 4, Natasha Ortega with 3, while Baylor Walton, Ginger Baird and Sydni Silva had 2 apiece.
Springer only suited up seven as senior Alicia Arias was sidelined with an injury. Senior Hannah Burton led all scorers with 15, Odalis Tafoya had 10, Asley Saenz had 5, Kirsten Gurule, Shylow Saenz and Elena Maestas each had 3 and Katy Scott had 2. Springer was 24 of 42 from the line.
The boys varsity game saw Springer lead the entire way, but Raton down by as many as 12 in the second half, rallied to cut the lead to three in the fourth quarter, but Springer had an answer for the rally and took the five point win on the strength of Gabe Garcia’s 23 points. Jose Urquijo netted 11, while Owen Burton and Bryan Romero matched each others 7 and Chase Casias put in 6. Springer kept Raton at bay by sinking 7 of their 12 made free throws in the fourth period.
Raton was led in double figures by Jose Archuleta’s 14 and Aden Vanderwater’s 12. Dustin Segura, Ismael Tafoya and Nathaniel Tarbox each had six, while Isaih Samora had 3. Raton shot less than 50% from the line making 6 of 16.
In the only JV game, Raton boys defeated Springer 57 – 36.
Next up for Springer is a District matchup in Des Moines on Feb. 1 and next for Raton is a District series for both boys and girls at Desert Academy in Santa Fe also on Feb. 1.
Raton’s games will be broadcast on KRTN beginning at 5:30 for the girls and 7:00 for the boys. Both games will also be streamed on Network1Sports.com.
