Portales dominates second half to top Ruidoso

RUIDOSO — Portales High coach Wade Fraze called Tuesday night's game between his Rams and the Ruidoso Warriors a "Tale of two halves."

Indeed it was, as Portales outscored Ruidoso by 37 points in the second half, en route to a 68-23 victory.

Portales (19-2, 2-0) was outscored in the second quarter, but carried a 31-21 lead into intermission. Amazingly, Ruidoso (6-14, 0-1) was held to just two points in the third quarter, and were completely shut out in the fourth quarter.

"We didn't come mentally ready to play — Ruidoso did," Fraze explained. "Ruidoso played a great first half, and they were mentally poised, executed well — did everything well. I think (my girls) realized at half that they're not playing our game and they came out focused and played really good defense. The difference was our intensity level."

Zamorye Cox had 21 points, seven assists and six steals, while Lindsay Blakey and Marisela Garcia had seven rebounds apiece. The Rams, who extended their winning streak to 10 with the win, now have 10 days until their next game, when they host Hope Christian on Friday, Feb. 2.

The Huskies (9-9, 0-0) always seems to be the team to beat in District 4-4A play, and are the defending 4A state runner-up. And while their record may not reflect it, the Huskies remain as tough as ever.

"They're better than their record. The have the strongest strength of schedule in the state," Fraze said. "They've played some very good 5A and 6A schools. I don't know if we've ever beaten them, going back to Brenda Gomez."

Fraze went on to say that his Rams, who were in a rebuild, struggled against a loaded Hope team a year ago. As for what specific strengths the Huskies possess this year, Fraze played it close to the vest. "I'd rather not say," Fraze said, laughing. "At least not on the record."