Clayton sweeps Tucumcari at Snake Pit

By Chris Schmaedeke

QCS managing editor

The Tucumcari boys basketball team missed some open looks and were ousted by Clayton 59-54 in overtime on Saturday at the Snake Pit.

The Rattlers (6-15 overall, 0-3 District 6AA) missed three straight shots in the overtime and the no. 8-ranked Yellowjackets were able to capitalize. Jorge Gonzalez, who had a game high 24, scored two quick baskets and Tucumcari was never able to recover.

“That’s just part of the game,” Tucumcari coach John Span said. “We got some good looks but weren’t able to hit them.”

Clayton (11-6, 1-1) was able to draw the Tucumcari guards too far into the lane causing easy looks for Gonzalez in overtime and throughout the game.

“We really finished the overtime,” Clayton coach Mike Trujillo said. “We were able to get inside and finish.”

Travis Garcia led the Rattlers with 20 points and Dalton Wood chipped in 16. Jakus Martinez had nine points including the 3-pointer that tied the game at 48 with 2 minutes and 36 seconds left in regulation. The Rattlers hit eight treys as a team.

“We hit some threes,” Span said. “But we didn’t shoot as well as he have in other games.”

The Rattlers opened up the game by scoring seven straight points only to watch Clayton came back and score the 13.

The Lady Rattlers struggled defensively in their 52-44 losses to the no. 4-ranked Clayton Yellowjackets on Saturday at the Snake Pit.

Tucumcari (9-9 overall, 0-3 District 6AA) struggled rebounding the ball and Clayton (12-5, 1-1) was able to take advantage of its size.

“We have to rebound better,” Tucumcari coach Gary Hittson said. “We just stood there and watched the ball.”

The Rattlers were able to pull within four in the fourth quarter behind Laura Fought’s hot shooting. Fought had 25 points including six 3-pointers.

Fought’s effort was not enough as the Clayton’s Chelsea Kear drove the length of the court to bump the lead back up to six. Tucumcari never got any closer.

“Somebody has to step up and take a charge in that situation,” Hittson said.

Adrienne Trujillo and Ashley Trujillo led the Yellowjackets with 11 and 10 points.

No other beside Fought was in double figures.