Raton Ladies Bring Home Second Place

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

The State Spirit Competition was held at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho this last weekend and as usual it was tough emotional competition.

The state spirit competition is like no other in the state. It is a judged competition, not one that is decided at the buzzer by the score. This is one that takes two different routines and is compared to the other teams. This event is one that you have to experience to really understand the emotions and determination and talent of the ladies.

Raton Cheer and Dance teams have placed in the top five over the last several years. Watch the ladies perform each year and see the determination and the hard work they put into the routines. Yet a small bobble or a dropped flyer can upset the whole routine and deduct points. While it may only be a few points as you can see by the scoring a few points may mean the difference in one or two places.

Dance Results

3A St. Michael's    262.0  258.5  520.5

3A Raton               258.5  249.0  507.5

3A Sandia Prep     264.5  225.0 489.5

3A Hope Christian 245.5 239.0 484.5

3A Socorro            231.0  222.5  453.5

3A Taos                 202.5  207.0  409.5

3A Silver               207.5  191.0  398.5

3A Robertson       200.0  195.5  395.5

3A West Las Vegas 188.0 193.5 381.5

Cheer Results

3A Hope Christian 272.0  254.0  526.0

3A Raton               238.0  227.5  465.5

3A Taos                 244.0  220.5  464.5

3A Portales           241.0  203.0  444.0

3A Silver               205.5  206.5  412.0

3A St. Michael's   164.5  152.0   316.5

3A Lovington        156.5  149.0  305.5

3A Ruidoso           169.5  122.5  292.0

3A West Las Vegas 89.5 163.5  253.0

3A Robertson       127.5   102.5  230.0

After the performances Friday afternoon both Raton coaches were happy with their scores and knew Saturday would tell the story. Friday's routines are more structured and contain must have elements. Saturday the routines are allowed to be more freely structured so you will see different styles of performances.

As the awards were being presented Saturday emotions were running high and this year it was bitter sweet for the Raton TigerCats dance team as they scored higher than rivals Hope Christian and when the standings were announced the ladies were visibly happy. 

In the cheer competition this year saw a closer event as Portales has a new coach and was noticably improved this year and Taos was once again in the hunt as they were last year. Looking at the scores the middle three are fairly close, with Raton and Taos only one point apart. 

 

Miranda Luksich and Devon Gutierrez accept the second place trophy for the Raton TigerCats dance team Saturday in Rio Rancho at the State Spirit Competition.

2013 TigerCats Dance Team

    Autumn Hunnicutt, Cheyenne Starr, Devon Gutierrez, Heather Segura, Helen Segura
Kylie Fleming, Lakken Medina, Miranda Luksich, Moriah Daniel, Renee Martinez
Sabrina Valdez, Sarah Earle, Taylin Baker
Coach Kelli Gabriele, Coach Sue Holland

Kelli Ortiz and Hunter Garcia accept the second place trophy for the RHS Cheer team Saturday morning in Rio Rancho at the State Spirit Competition.

RHS Cheer Team

Alexandra Flores, Alyssa Aragon, Ashlynn Martinez, Brittany Sanchez, Cheyann Duran, Cody Stone, Hunter Garcia
Jessica Haynes, Kali Fanelli, Katie Flores, Kelli Ortiz, Natale Castellini, Nayelli Acosta, Nicole James
Rachael Sanchez, Raina Morphew, Sandi Lemons, Shania Sanchez, Coach Linda Ortiz, Coach Brenda Ferri

Trojans Continue District Winning Streak

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

The way this game started out it could have went either way as the crowd got loud and the play was deliberate. Wagon Mound at home and the defending District 1B champs hosted a much improved Maxwell Bears team.

Coming from no where only two years ago the Maxwell Bears have come a long way under coach Eloy Brazil. As the teams battled back and forth the defenses held strong and kept the score low. Wagon Mound was up 8-4 at the end of the first. Tough defense continued through the second period. When the buzzer sounded at halftime 19 - 16 game with Wagon Mound on top.

The third period however was a much different ball game as Maxwell went cold and Wagon Mound stoked the flames and went 26 points to 11 for the Bears. Then the fourth quarter turned around for Maxwell going 20-15. The points spread however was to much to over come for Maxwell and the Trojans were once again announced as the District 1B champions. Another factor in the game was made from the free throw line as Wagon Mound went 11 of 12 in the fourth quarter.

Maxwell    4  12  11  20  47
Wagon Mound  8  11  26  15  61

Maxwell High Point
Patrick Pacheco  21 4 of 6 at the line
Thomas Casper 8 1 of 4 free throws
Free Throws 11 of 27 attempts

Wagon Mound High Point
Jose Aguilar 17 8 of 9 free throws
Gabriel Cruz 14
Eric Olguin 17  8 of 8 free throws
Free throws 17 of 19 attempts

The District 1B champs Wagon Mound Trojans (not in order) Jose Aguilar, Darian Mareno, Andrew Martinez, Rio Armijo, Marcus Cruz, Gabriel Cruz, Danny Gray, Eric Olguin, coaches Bobby Clouthier, and P Olguin.

Jakob Smith and Danny Gray go for the rebound early in the game in Wagon Mound.

Thomas Casper goes in low for the lay-up as Trojan Danny Gray gets a hand up for the block

Patrick Pacheco draws the foul as Jose Aguilar (5) works his way down the court during the District 1B championship game.

Up for the rebound is Tristan Chavez and Jose Aguilar (5)

Patrick Pacheco squeezes in between Danny Gray and Eric Olguin as he moves inside for the lay-up during the championship game in Wagon Mound Friday night.

Lady Demons move forward to State Tourney

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

The Des Moines Lady Demons hosted the Class B district 1 championships Thursday night and played a much improved Mosquero Lady Pirates. The coaches for both teams are brothers and it is fun to watch how they play against each other.

The Lady Pirates had a slow start but once they got things going they stayed within striking distance for most of the first half of the game. Yet the hot hand of Dakota Martinez who scored eight 3-pointers on the night helped Des Moines widen the lead.

The Lady Pirates pulled to within 12 points in the second half yet were running out of steam and Des Moines widened the lead to 20 and more then more by the buzzer. Des Moines played a physical game as they always do and then went into a ball control game in the fourth working the shots inside.

The Des Moines Lady Demons Class B District 1 champs  Front row Alexis Wingo, Reinda Rivale, Rayelle Rivale, Makenna Hittson   Back row assistant coach Dudy Martinez, Dakota Martinez, Aunna Walker, Jordyn Bannon, Samantha Green, coach Freddy Libby

 Mosquero    4  11  8   6  29
Des Moines 15 13 13 21 62

Mosquero High Point
Taylor Libby 15 0 for 1 free throws
Free Throws 7 of 17 attempts

Des Moines High Point
Dakota Martinez 30  8 3-pointers 2 of 2 free throws
Aunna Walker 15  6 of 8 free throws
Free throws 13 of 23 attempts

Lady Pirates Gabby Vigil (55) Barrett Ray and Emily Goret team up on Lady Demon Aunna Walker during the game Thursday night.

Another struggle for the ball as Barrett Ray and Gabby Vigil try to get the ball away from Reinda Rivale during the Class B District 1 championship game Thursday evening in Des Moines

This time its Aunna Walker trying to take control as Gabby Vigil and Lori Mitchell try to get their hands on the ball.

Dakota Martinez puts up another one of her eight 3-pointers Thursday night in Des Moines during the championship game.

 

Springer Sweeps District Championships

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

It was a Questa Springer matchup, both boys and girls, for the District 1A championship held in Springer Saturday night that was all but boring with both games seeing tie scores.

The Springer Lady Red Devils took off with a quick six point lead by Kyra Laumbach and they slowly spread it out enjoying the lead for the first half of the game. That lead would grow to as much as 12 points with the help of 3-pointers and close in shots as Springer worked the ball and worked it inside for the shot.

Second half action would see the Springer lead slip away and for a brief time late in the third period the Questa Lady Wildcats took the lead. With the crowd in the ball game the Lady Red Devils took control and by the end of the third were up by eight and would control that lead through the fourth.

At the buzzer Springer owned the title of District 1A champs for 2013.

The 2013 District 1A champs Jordan Scott, Kyra Laumbach, Angelica Montoya, Kara Burton, Tiana Garcia, Kylie Daugherty, Cordilia Tafoya, Michelle Finkbone, Coach Thomas Ybarra.

Again in the boys game Springer took a quick lead but it was a fast paced and physical game that soon saw the six point lead that Springer held at the end of the first quarter slip into a tie game in the second quarter. Again the crowd was in the game and Springer pulled away but by no means was it a stable lead.

As the buzzer ended the first half Springer lead the game by eight. The second half of the game was still a fast paced game with the lead slipping away then a turnover would change the momentum some and Springer would once again widen the lead.

Both teams worked the ball and drove it inside for points. The difference came when one or the other team would miss a basket. The other team would take advantage and work the ball in for points. it was back and forth like that for the remainder of the game. Yet when the final buzzer blew it was Springer who once again held the District 1A title.

The Springer Red Devils District 1A Champs,  Coach Jimmy Apodaca, Christian Chavez, Joey Wade, Sam Garcia, John Montoya, Uriel Urquijo, Isaac Cordova, Isaiah Garcia, Anthony Romero, Darren Montoya, assitant coach Johhny Lee Chavez, in the back is Brandon Frye, Austin Decker, Carlos Urquijo, Tyler Blake,

Girls Game
Questa     7  19  13  14  53
Springer 19 15  13  15  62

Questa High Point
Britney Cisneros 10 4 of 7 free throws
Free Throws 12 of 26 attempts

Springer High Point
Kyra Laumbach 27 4 of 6 free throws
Free Throws 16 of 28 attempts

Boys Game
Questa     16  10  17  14  57
Springer  22  12  15  21  70

Questa High Point
Jesus Ortega 27 1 of 3 free throws
Justin Torres 20  0 of 1 free throws
Free throws 5 of 8 attempts

Springer High Point
Joey Wade 30  8 of 7 free throws
Sam Garcia 20 4 of 7 free throws
Darren Montoya 12  4 of 8 free throws
Free throws 15 of 26 attempts

Oops there goes the ball as Kyra Laumbach stumbles into the paint early in the game. Kyra didnt do that often as she went to the paint and up for the first six points of the game and ended the night with 27 points for Springer.

Angelica Montoya goes to the floor to keep the ball during the District 1A championship game in Springer Saturday night.

Kylie Daugherty makes it look easy as she heads for the basket unopposed.

Sam Garcia drives the paint for the lay-up to widen the early lead for Springer during the District 1A championship game Saturday night in Springer.

Springer worked the ball and took it inside often as Darren Montoya does here against Agustin Rael for two of his 12 points on the night .

Zack Gallegos (10) and Kendal Cordova put the squeeze on Joey Wade as he drives the lane for the lay-up on his way to two of his 30 points.

Pressure shuts out Tigers

WLV  22  15  22  20  79
Raton   9  15  17  20  61

West High Point
Briana Hildalgo 10 0 of 2 free throws
Deana Bustos 26 2 of 2 free throws 4 3-points
Michelle Tapia 11 1 of 4 free throws
Free Throws 8 of 16 attempts

Raton High Point
Taryn Trujillo 15  2 of 2 free throws 3 3-points
Michelle Guara 17 1 of 4 free throws
Mikala Vertovec 19 6 of 7 free throws
Free Throws 10 of 19 attempts



The Lady Tigers hosted the Lady Dons for the first round of district play Monday night in Tiger Gym.

The Lady Dons controlled the game from the opening jump ball with a full court press for most of the game. The press and missed shots held Raton to only nine points in the first quarter. That deficit would prove to much to overcome and West would widen it by halftime.

Third quarter play continued pretty much as the first half with West maintaining a fairly consistent 20 point lead. Raton however finally found the basket and put the ball through the hoop more often.

West will play Robertson in the second round of district play. With 19 teams in 3A, Raton will have to wait to see if they will be invited to play in the sweet 16 of 3A.

Mariah Romero (2) goes for the lay-up while Michelle Tapia (40) runs interference for Deanna Bustos to make the block early in the game Monday night.

Taryn Trujillo goes for one of her 3 3-pointers of the game Monday night.

Maya Roybal (42) tangles with Taryn Trujillo for the ball. West played aggressive ball like this for the whole game which shut Raton down fairly well in the first quarter.

Michelle Guara (22) tries for the shot but Briana Hildago draws the foul sending Michelle to the free throw line where she made one of the two shots.

Taos Tigers pen Raton Tigers

JV Game
Taos   27  21  10  11  69
Raton  7     2    7    3  19

Taos High Point
James Roybal 12  1 of 3 free throws
Jesse Weber 13  1 of 2 free throws
Free Throws 5 of 12 attempts

Raton High Point
Mike Vigil 12
Free Throws 0 of 2 attempts

Varsity Game
Taos  14  17  22  17  71
Raton 9   10   6   31  56


Taos High Point
Estevan Garcia 11 4 of 4 free throws
Kiko Martinez 12 3 of 4 free throws
Kyle Willis 10
Shane Willis 11 3 of 4 free throws
Free Throws 15 of 26 attempts

Raton High Point
Rashaan Craig 29 9 of 10 free throws
Jay Starr 15 3 of 6 free throws
Free Throws 17 of 23 attempts

Senior Jay Starr stepped up and kept Raton in striking distance in the first quarter. Yet it wasn't enough to keep them close enough as Taos kept the pace fast and defensive.

Taos wasted no time bringing on the pressure as they will have to play Pojoaque for a tie breaker for first place in District 2AAA. Turnovers with points soon allowed Taos to widen their point spread and with a fresh bench Coach Daniel Trujillo to give his top players a break. While Rashaan Craig and Caleb Wood were back on the bench Coach Gilbert San Roman only had two player to liberally substitute with.

The game continued on and was rough and tumble at times with jeers from the fans on calls or lack of by the referees. As a result both teams garnered over 10 team fouls in the second half. By the fourth quarter Rashaan Craig woke up and with the help of the others on the team Raton out scored Taos 31 to 17 yet it was to little to late to close the 28 point gap at the end of the third.

Raton will be on the road for the first round of district play and will likely travel to Las Vegas for their first game.

Tiger Cats Dance Seniors Mariah Daniels, Sarah Earle, Helen Segura, Miranda Luksich, Autumn Hunnicutt, Lakken Medina, Devon Gutierrez

Seniors Dustin Gonzales, Mark Hightree, Jay Starr

Jeremiah Atencio chases a loose ball during the JV game Saturday night in Tiger Gym.

Jay Starr grabs the rebound during the last regular season game Saturday night.

Senior Dustin Gonzales goes for the rebound while Kyle Willis moves to get a finger on the ball.

Mark Hightree's shot goes awry as Jay Starr was set for the rebound Saturday evening in Tiger Gym.

Dustin Gonzales prepares to set for the shot before a big crowd in tiger Gym Saturday.

Mark Hightree concentrates on goal as he tries to close the deficit on the score board.

Another rebound by Jay Starr late in the game Saturday night as Taos' Chris Nalls falls short

Taos Lady Tigers Solidify District Title with Win

JV Game
Taos 8  17  12  19  56
Raton 4  3   7     9  23

Taos High Point
Feliz Espinoza 16 2 of 3 free throws
Free throws 13 of 22 attempts

Raton High Point
Emily Harrington  5
Sarandon Walton 5
Free Throws 1 of 10 free throws

Varsity Game
Taos  8  7  9  19  43
Raton 5 6 15 13  39

Taos High Point
Marisol Martinez 11 with 7 of 11 free throws
Marcella Sanchez 14  4 of 6 free throws
Free Throws 14 of 20 attempts

Raton High Point
Michelle Guara 20  4 of 8 free throws
Free Throws 7 of 20 attempts

By halftime Taos was only up by four 11-15. It simply shows that both teams played strong defense and kept each other away from the bucket. Raton also had to cope with the loss of senior Brylee Medina who suffered a knee injury early in the second quarter of the game.

As second half action got under way the close score became a tie game when Raton caught up and then took the lead with a Taryn Trujillo hitting a couple of 3-pointers and Michelle Guara finding the spot under the basket. Raton took the lead into the fourth quarter with a 26-24 score at the end of the third.

Raton kept the lead until halfway through the fourth when Taos once again took the lead and extended it by six. Raton pulled it together and came within two but a couple of turnovers finally bit Raton and left the final score at 43-39. Free throws also played a big part in this game as Raton went 35% while Taos did 70% at the line. Had Raton made only four more free throws the result of the game might have been different. 

The District Tourney will begin next week with game schedules coming out Sunday or Monday.

Caydence Sisneros makes it look easy as she drives the lane for the shot in front of the basket. during the JV game.

The SRs Brylee Medina, Dominique Zamora, Noelle McDonald, Mariah Gallegos and Manager America Astorga

 

The Senior Cheerleaders Nicole James, Hunter Garcia, Kelly Ortiz, Brittany Sanchez, Kali Fanelli and Raina Morphew

Michelle Guara and Marcella Sanchez tangle for the ball

Michelle Guara concentrates on the basket with a two point lead. Michelle made 4 of 8 free throws during the game

Brylee Medina drives the lane early in the varsity game Friday night before she suffered a knee injury in the second quarter.

Mikala Vertovec and Midnight Lujan scramble for the ball results in a tie ball Friday night during the varsity game.

Michelle Guara gives Mikala Vertovec a little support before her free throw attempt. Mikala made three of 8 free throws on the night.