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Sunday, February 26, 2012


Exciting Weekend Basketball in District 1A

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

            It was down to the wire for the girls in District 1A Saturday afternoon as the Des Moines Demons hosted the Springer Lady Red Devils for the District 1A championship game.
            And oh what a game it was as the Lady Red Devils took an early lead in the game and pulled out in front leaving Demon fans wondering what happened but it was still early and the Lady Demons found the groove and by half time the first quarter 13-7 Lady Red Devil lead was no more. When the buzzer sounded ending the second quarter the score was tied at 23. Setting the pace for the remainder of the game.
            And what a second half it was as both teams battled back and forth with lead changes, bumps and thumps as the referees let the girls play as was evident in the number of team fouls, Des Moines with six and Springer with eight. Neither team went to the free throw line more than five times in the second half of the game.
            With less than a minute left in the game it was a tie ball game, the Lady Demons managed a one point lead and then Samantha Green added two free throws to force the Lady Red Devils into a 3-point shot for the tie. Springer’s Kyra Laumbach raced down court yet wasn’t able to beat the clock and make a 3-point shot, final score 43-40 Des Moines.
            In the boys game Saturday evening in Springer it was a bit more one sided as Springer hosted Des Moines in Sim Brown gym. The Red Devils struggled the first couple of minutes and then put the screws to the Demons as they put on a full court press double teaming the primary ball handler Emilio Cisneros.
            This continued until the Red Devils had pulled out a significant lead after half time. The Demons however didn’t give up that easily and battled back to within eight, yet time was not on their side as they Red Devils put the pressure back on and began stalling looking for that one shot.
            By games end the Red Devils had held their ground and a 10-point lead leaving Des Moines feeling the Red Devil heat. Final score was Springer 67-57 and their fifth straight District 1A title.
            All four teams will now move into regional play and by Monday morning will know who they will tangle with this weekend to start the opening round of state basketball action.

Reinda Rivale (3) and Shelby Walker (5) tangle up while Brandi Burton(12) and Kyra Laumbach (22) try to avoid the two and watch the ball go out of bounds Saturday afternoon in Des Moines.
Reinda Rivale and Allisha Frye scramble for the loose ball Saturday afternoon in Des Moines

It was a tight physical ball game Saturday as evidence by this shot of Shelby Walker and Brandi Burton no foul was called on this play just a jump ball.

Strategy time as the Lady Demons try to win this game, up by only a point late in the fourth they have to hold on for a win.


Girls scoring
Springer  13  10  9  8  40
Des Moines  7  16  9  11  43

Springer High Point
Brandi Burton 12  2 of 2 free throws
Kyra Laumbach 9
Cordy Tafoya 9 1 of 2 free throws
Free Throws  3 of 4 attempts

Des Moines High Point
Shelby Walker 21  0 of 1 free throws
Dakota Martinez 9
Free throws 4 of 9 attempts


The 2012 Lady Demons, District 1A Champions



Boys Scoring
Des Moines 8  13  20  16  57
Springer  16 19  17  15  67

Dews Moines High Point
Austin Vincent 28 2 of 2 free throws
Emilio Cisneros 15 2 of 6 free throws
Free Throws 7 of 14 attempts

Springer High Point
Sam Garcia 14 1 of 2 free throws
Dago Chavez 18 3 of 4 free throws
Leonard Arias 21  2 of 2 free throws
Free Throws 12 of 18 attempts

What concentration by Sam Garcia as he goes for the basket while Demon Ryan Martin tries to avoid the foul but doesn’t and sends Garcia to the free throw line.

Demon Emilio Cisneros draws the foul with a hand on Jacob Romero as he went for the shot Saturday evening in Springer
Emilio Cisneros ended the night with 15 points and as evidence by the scoreboard the Demons are struggling to come back in this ball game


Austin Vincent goes for two of his 28 points on the night for the Demons as Red Devil Sam Garcia watches

The 2012 District 1A springer Red Devils holding up high 5’s signify their fifth straight District 1A title.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tigers take last minute win in District Tourney

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

From a slow start to a WOW what a game finish!! as the Tigers hosted the West Las Vegas Dons to open the first round of tourney play in district 2AAA.

Down by as much as 15 points early on in the game the it looked like it might be a long night. Turnovers and missed shots plagued the Tigers early on yet they simply didn't give up. The free throw line wasn't visited by the Tigers near as much as the Dons did. That simple fact proved to be the deciding factor in the first half. The Dons found the charity stripe 13 times doing better than 50% with nine points. While the Tigers made the trip only five times with four points.

Second half action wasn't much better at the line for the Tigers yet Rashaan Craig went 7/7 free throws at the line. Rashaan made the difference in the fourth quarter for Raton going 4 of 4 free throws in the fourth and 12 points from the field.

As the game entered the fourth quarter Raton was down 44-36. The spark struck kindling and late in the fourth the score was tied at 53. Wow what a game it became. The lead changed a couple more times as the clocked ticked away. With less than a minute left Raton took the lead and went up by three. With less that 15 seconds left West missed a shot and now we are down to 5 seconds. Matt Ortiz at the line with the one and one and up it goes, he hits his first and it is a 61-57 game just enough to keep a 3-pointer from tying. A long pass down court and the buzzer sounds. Raton wins it 61-57 and will travel to Robertson for the next round of district tourney action.

WLV 19  12  13  13  57
Raton  7  17   12  25  61

Robertson High Point
Ruben Bustamonte 11 4 of 6 free throws
Joe Ortiz 17 and 4 of 4 free throws
Henry Flores 20 5 of 11 free throws
Free throws 15 of 25 attempts

Raton High Point
Rashaan Craig 26 7 of 7 free throws
Free Throws 11 of 13 attempts

Sunday, February 19, 2012


Congrats to the RHS Cheer squad for bringing home a 1st place trophy from the Artesia Cheer Competition this weekend

Turnovers trouble Tigers

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

            It was the boy’s turn Saturday night to host the last home game of the season with the Robertson Cardinals and the red birds brought it on creating turnovers that resulted in points and finally a win to end the district play for the regular season.
            First quarter action actually saw the Tigers take the lead and play a close game however second quarter action resulted in only 2-points for the Tigers while Robertson pulled out and left the striped cats bewildered.
Third quarter action wasn’t any better. The fourth quarter looked up yet when the buzzer sounded the final score was 63-34 Robertson.
Turnovers started quick and early on in the varsity game as the Cardinals played an aggressive and fast paced game. Another factor during the game was height as the Cardinals have players almost a head taller than some of the Tigers, which allowed the Cardinals the opportunity to make shot blocks.  By the halftime buzzer it was a 45-20 Robertson game.
Second half action continued the turnover trouble and yet the Tigers didn’t give in and finished the game less than 30 points down with a 78-51 Robertson win.
On to the district tourney this week, stay tuned to KRTN for up to date game times and locations.
Caleb Wood started Raton out right as he controlled the Jump ball in the JV game Saturday evening

JV Scoring
Robertson 14  18  16  15  63
Raton         13    2    3   14  34

Robertson High Point
Justin Dimas 10  2 of 4 free throws
Brandon Maes  10  2 of 4 free throws
Free throws  24 of  38 attempts

Raton High Point
Mark Hightree 9 1 of 4 free throws
Free throws 2 of 12 attempts
Congrats Senior Matt Ortiz

Congrats Senior Matt Earle

Congrats Senior Jeramy Armijo
 Varsity Scoring
Robertson  21  24  17  16  78
Raton          12    8   14  16  51

Robertson High Point
Justin Bustos 21 4 of 8 free throws 3 3-pointers
Dalen Avrea 18  4 3-pointers
Josh Brito 14 1 of 3 free throws  3 3-pointers
Ryan Tafoya 13 3 of 3 free throws
Free throws 10 of 21 attempts

Raton High Point
Seth Brower 12
Rashaan Craig 13 3 of 4 free throws 3 3-pointers
Free Throws 7 of 10 attempts

A much taller Justin Bustos gets a hand on the ball as Mark Hightree goes for the jumper Saturday night in tiger Gym

Seth Brower goes for the lay-up as Joseph Mascarenas attempts the block Saturday night in Tiger Gym

Matt Ortiz drives the lane between Brandon Trujillo and Jalen Martinez late in the game Saturday night in Tiger Gym


Congrats the RHS Cheer squads for their first place win in Artesia over the weekend. Not all the team was present when Coach Linda Ortiz announced the win to the crowd Saturday night during the Raton Robertson game.


Saturday, February 18, 2012


Lady Tigers drop last home Game

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

            Tough night for the Lady Tigers as both teams finish the home basketball season with losses to Robertson Friday night in Tiger Gym.
            The JV girls took an early led and stayed that way until late in the fourth quarter when a Lady Cardinal rally tied the score and ultimately pulled ahead leaving the Lady Tigers in the dust. As the buzzer sounded ending the game the Lady Cardinals had won by 12 with a 49-37 final.
            The varsity game however was a struggle for the Lady Tigers as they got off to a slow and dismal shooting game, as the saying goes we couldn’t by a basket. By the first quarter buzzer Raton was down 17-5.
            The Lady Tigers however didn’t give in yet a strong and aggressive Lady Cardinal defense created turnovers that resulted in points and further widened the deficit.
            The struggle continued into the third quarter and the free throw line wasn’t a friend for the Lady Tigers either as they didn’t get there as often as Robertson. Raton went to the free throw line only nine times and scored only three points.
            Yet as the game wore on the Lady Tigers seemed to draw the short end of any confrontation sending Robertson to the charity stripe eight times in the second half alone.
            Fourth quarter action however saw a Lady Tiger rally that closed the 30 point game by 10, yet far to little to late in the game for the Lady Tigers leaving the final score Robertson 63 Raton 39.
            District playoff action will begin the week of the February 20, so stay tuned to KRTN for up to date times, dates and location for Tiger and Lady Tiger Basketball.


JV Scoring

Robertson 5  11  15  18  49
Raton        14 13    8     2  37

Robertson High Score
Alicia Arguello 18 2 of 2 free throws
Chaylene Sena  10 2 of 2 free throws
Free throws 8 of 16 attempts

Raton High Point
Sarandon Walton 8 0-1 free throws
Leah Cimino 7 1 of 2 free throws
Free throws 5 of 15 attempts


Taryn Trujillo goes for the short jumper as Erica Herrera and Alicia Arguello get in the way Friday night in Tiger Gym during the JV game.
 Varsity Scoring
Robertson 17  12  25  9  63
Raton            5   10    9 15 39

Robertson High Point
Jolene Martinez 13 2 of 2 free throws 3 3-pointers
Shannon Lopez 14 2 of 4 free throws
Janie Allen 14 4 of 6 free throws
Free Throws 14 of 22 attempts

Raton High Point
Michelle Guara 9 1of 2 free throws
Haley Gansz 8 0-2 free throws
Free throws 3 of 9 attempts

Lady Tiger Seniors were honored Friday night, Haley Gansz (34) Sara Ortiz and Jordan Valdez (hugged by Sarandon Walton(11))

Brylee Medina goes for the lay-up as Abbie Bradley attempts the block during the varsity game in Tiger Gym Friday night

Senior Jordan Valdez attempts to go around Abbie Bradley Friday night during the Last home game for Raton

Lady Cardinal Jenna Rhoads gets an arm on the ball as Haley Gansz tries to go up for the shot Friday night in Tiger Gym

Courtney Harrison makes the screen for Michelle Guara Friday night late in the varsity game