Portales fends off Texico

In a 32-29 basketball game, points are precious and strategy changes sometimes crucial.

Portales mixed up its defense at halftime of Wednesday's Plateau Wireless Classic game against Texico and came away with the third-place trophy.

The Rams outscored the Wolverines 6-3 in the last four minutes to overtake the only Class 2A team in the eight-team girls basketball tournament at Rock Staubus Gym in Clovis.

Portales (5-5) — the only 3A squad at the tourney — switched between zone and man defenses in the first half, but Texico tenaciously snapped up several offensive rebounds in taking an 18-15 lead into intermission. Primarily playing man-to-man in the last two quarters, the Rams limited Texico’s second-chance opportunities.

Texico (9-4), however, closed to within a point when Victoria Richards swished a 3-pointer with 30 seconds remaining — three of the Wolverines’ four field goals after intermission were behind the 3-point arc.

The Rams responded aggressively, however, as a pair of young Portales players teamed up to give their team some breathing room. With 17 seconds on the clock, freshman Macy Mitchell got an interior pass from sophomore Gabby Garcia and scored.

The Wolverines had one last chance to tie, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Richards was errant.

Senior guard Tara Johnson helped Portales surge in front as the third quarter began. Finishing with a game-high 12 points, Johnson hit consecutive buckets midway through the third to put the Rams up 21-18.

Garcia, who grabbed with a game-high six rebounds, had three assists in the last half of the fourth period.

“We went from one of our main plays to one we hardly ever do just to like mix them up,” Garcia said. “It’s tough every time we play them now, but I think it’s good because it just makes us better.”

That also was exactly the thought of Texico coach Ryan Autrey.

“That’s what we get into this tournament for,” Autrey said. “Right now, this part of the season, you’re record doesn’t do anything for you. We need to play at this level so we know that we have to get better in certain areas.”

Freshman Jaylynn Cooper led Texico with nine points.

Portales 32, Texico 29
Portales (5-5) — Tara Johnson 12, Gabby Garcia 6, Macy Mitchell 5, Jenna Wagner 5, Alexis Orcutt 4. Totals 14 4-10 32.
Texico (9-4) — Jaylyn Cooper 9, Victoria Richards 6, Katlin Luscombe 5, Jordan Cooper 3, Jaryse Harris 3, Shannon Van Matre 3. Totals 10 2-8 29.
Portales 7 8 7 10 - 32
Texico 12 6 5 6 - 29
3-point FG: P 0; T 7 (Jaylyn Cooper 3, Richards 2, Jordyn Cooper, Van Matre). Fouls: P 10; T 10. Fouled Out: None.