Longhorns split wins in season opener

Logan and Springer went up and down the court at a fast pace but the Longhorns came up just short in 66-57 loss to the Red Devils.

There was no sign of being slow out of the gate in the season opener for both teams.

The Longhorns (0-1) raced out to an early lead of 18-10 but Springer (1-0) came right back and took the lead in the second quarter with a 20-6 run.

“We made a run and then they would make a run,” Logan coach Billy Burns said. “They made their final run and we just couldn’t catch up.”

Logan’s runs were keyed by junior Brandon Rafool. Rafool had a team-high 20 points and four three-pointers to keep the Longhorns in the game. Senior Truitt Frost only had nine points as he struggled with foul trouble.

“Dumb fouls really hurt us tonight,” Frost said.

“We got into foul trouble in the second quarter and it was hard to come back from it,” Burns said.

Springer was able to put the game away late with three three-pointers by Isaiah Detterrera, who holds the state record for three-pointers in game, but Detterrera only had one other three and the rest of the team had none. Detterrera finished the game with 20 points.

“The threes were pretty close,” Burns said. “I think we had more.”

The Longhorns seven in the game.

Springer set up their press on Logan from the beginning of the game. Red Devils’ coach Jimmy Apodaca said his press didn’t cause turnovers but it helped in other ways.

“It really helped our tempo,” Apodaca said. “Our tempo really changed the game in our favor.”

Logan was able to tie the game at 36 in the third quarter but was never able to regain the lead.

Jacob Romero led Springer with 22 points

Girls

The Lady Longhorns edged past the Springer Lady Red Devils, 43-39 Friday night at Logan.

"They are a tough team," said Lady Longhorns head coach Claire Rachor. "I have to give the girls a lot of credit they played as a team. They worked together to cut away at the lead."

Trailing since midway through the second period the Lady Longhorns used strong defense to stall the Lady Red Devils offense looking for an opportunity to take the lead.

That opportunity unfolded as junior Ashley Muncey was fouled on a layup setting up a three-point play making it 30-27. Senior Jessica Aguilera tied the game with a three-point shot which was her second of the night.

Aguilera led the Lady Longhorns with 14 points.

The lead and momentum change came after a steal and pass down court to Marrisa Miller resulted in a quick scores for the Lady Longhorns.

"They had a great defense," said Longhorns sophomore Nicole Collins. "We knew that we had to play through it and find a way to get back in the game."

Collins had 11 points and was second in points for the Lady Longhorns.

The Lady Red Devils offensive and defense stars senior Jessica Burton, with 15 points and Shelby Decker fouled out late in the final period aiding the Lady Longhorns in holding the lead for the rest of the game.

"We only had four days to practice," said Lady Red Devils head coach Amadeo Soto. "We made a lot of mistakes because our conditioning. We fouled and did not control the ball as well as we should have."

Soto said Logan's defense did their job well by eliminating second shot opportunities.

"Our shooters got an open look but when they missed Logan was there to get that rebound," Soto said. "Defensive control makes a lot of difference in a close game."

Rachor said their game plan was to force Springer into a must shoot situation.

"We knew that goal would appear to shrink to their outside shooters once we put pressure on them," Rachor said. "We still have a long way to go but we are looking better every day."