By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Dons of West Las Vegas traveled the Big I to Raton Tuesday evening February 7, and took home a hard earned win as the Tigers were looking for revenge after the 77-45 loss January 17, in Las Vegas.
During the JV game Raton took the lead outscoring the Dons 12-7 in the first quarter. Turnovers and missed shots however turned that score around and left Raton down by seven at halftime. Third quarter was a turnaround as Raton comes back within two to end the third and ties the game in the early fourth quarter. However the fourth quarter went sour as the game wore on and saw the Dons extend their lead from the free throw line going seven of 14 attempts and finishing the game with a 14 point difference 49-35.
Raton was ready and able to take on the Dons as they played one of the best games they have played in a long time taking a 16-9 lead to finish out the first quarter. While the second quarter flip flopped Raton maintained a single point lead going into halftime which was a far better showing than the game in Vegas.
Third quarter action saw Raton fall behind by three in the third while Vegas outscored the Tigers 14-10 and took the lead 36-33. The best was yet to come as the Raton retook the lead then it was a back and forth game with several lead changes. It soon became a battle of the free throws which would come to be the winning points of the game. Raton went 11 of 16 at the free throw line with WD Hyer going seven of 11 attempts while Vegas did nine of 12 attempts.
Down to the final seconds of the game Raton’s WD Hyer had the chance to tie the game but missed one of his three attempts. On the inbound pass Hyer fouls Johnathan Gonzales and he makes both of his free throws after missing four earlier in the game to give Vegas the three point win at the buzzer.
JV Game
WLV 7 17 5 20 49
Raton 12 5 10 8 35
Varsity Game
WLV 9 13 14 23 59
Raton 16 7 10 23 56
West Las Vegas High Point
Lucas Archuleta 12. 5 of 6 free throws
Lance Schmidt 13 3 3-pointers
PJ Montaño 17 2 of 4 free throws
Free throws 14 of 23 attempts
Raton High Point
WD Hyer 15 17 8 of 14 free throws
Wyatt Berry 10 4 of 5 free throws
Cayden Walton 9 3 of 3 free throws
Anderson Weese 13
Free throws 16 of 24 attempts
