By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Its been two years since the cowbell last rang in the basketball gym as December 7, 2021 saw the return of the tournament to the court in Springer’s Sim Brown Gym with the opening night games.
The opening game of the 2021 Cowbell began with Roy/Mosquero Lady Blue and the Wagon Mound Lady Trojans. Wagon Mound returns a girl’s team to the tourney this year after a couple of year’s absence.
The Raton Lady Tigers and Questa Lady Wildcats kept the game close with the Lady Wildcats moving on to the winner’s side of the bracket. The Raton boys JV beat the Wagon Mound Trojans moving team onto the winner’s side of the bracket on Friday.
The game of the evening was the Maxwell Bears and Springer Red Devils in the boys bracket. Springer coming off a Championship win in the TSC Tournament in Trinidad. It was a classic Bears, Red Devil game as the score swapped a few times and Springer took the lead. Maxwell threatened late in the game bringing the score to within two before Springer dominated and outscored Maxwell for the win 75-67. This game saw four players not only break double digits but score 20 or more points with Orren Floyd scoring 28 followed by Jeremiah Apodaca with 26 Wade Burton with 21 and Tristen Pierce with 20.
Day two of the Cowbell saw game five spend time at the free line with Springer Lady Red Devils committing 31 fouls going to the charity line 31 times and making only 16 of those shots or 51%. Cimarron committed 23 fouls and attempted 46 shots making only 16 of those or 34% at the line. Coming off the Trinidad State Tourney Des Moines came to play with Caleb Sumpter scoring 31 points in the game and making seven of eight free throws.
The Lady Bears dominated the Frank M Real court in game seven with Audrey Apodaca scoring 22 points. The Lady Bears defense held the Lady Demons to only two points in the first quarter ending the quarter with a 27-2 score.
In game eight the Roy/Mosquero Blue held the Questa Wildcats to only three points in the first quarter dominating the court with their height and speed. Jackson Fudge scored 24 of the 67 points making 10 off 12 free throws in the process.
Game 1
Roy/Mosquero Lady Blue 53
Wagon Mound Lady Trojans 11
Game 2
Raton Tigers 73
Wagon Mound Trojans 21
Game 3
Raton Lady Tigers 42
Questa Lady Wildcats 57
Game 4
Springer Red Devils 75
Maxwell Bears 67
Game 5
Springer Lady Red Devils 53
Cimarron Lady Rams 34
Game 6
Cimarron Rams 60
Des Moines Demons 71
Game 7
Maxwell Lady Bears 70
Des Moines Lady Demons 32
Game 8
Roy/Mosquero Blue 67
Questa Wildcats 26