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.