Wolverines advance with OT win

TEXICO - After shooting 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the first half, Texico's accuracy slipped away during the third quarter (0-for-4).

The Wolverines found it just in time, going 6-for-8 in the overtime frame to outlast Santa Rosa 54-52 in a District 6-2A boys semifinal on Thursday night.

Junior Jahvon Askew and senior Cade Collins both converted 3-of-4 in the OT as second-seeded Texico (13-11) advanced to Saturday afternoon's title tilt at top-seeded Pecos (20-6). The Wolverines converted only one field goal in the extra session.

"Our offense was struggling a little bit (early), but we got better shots throughout the game," said Askew, who finished with 18 points. "I started slow, but after halftime I found my groove."

In a game of runs, the Lions (15-13) built a four-point lead three times in the final stanza before baskets by Askew and sophomore Colton Figg, who posted a game-high 23 points, tied it with just over a minute left.

Santa Rosa sophomore Jakub Gage hit a 3 to start the extra session, but Texico counted with eight consecutive points before Lions junior Jeremiah Huerta hit a 3 at the buzzer.

"Our district seems to get tougher and tougher every year," first-year Wolverines coach Craig Cook said. "There's never an easy game, but I think that makes our kids more prepared for state."

Texico, ranked 11th in 2A coming in - one notch ahead of Santa Rosa, and one spot behind district member Clayton - will have a hard time earning one of eight first-round home games in the 16-team event, with pairings to be announced today by the New Mexico Activities Association.

Still. Askew wasn't giving up hope.

"That's our goal," he said. "I'm hoping this game against Pecos will help us with the seedings."

Gage and junior Marcos Chavez both finished with 11 points for the Lions.

In other area boys action on Thursday:

Dora 69, Floyd 34 - In the District 4-1A tourney, the second-seeded Coyotes (15-9) advanced to Saturday's finals at top-seeded Elida (20-4), the teams' fifth meeting of the season.

Floyd (3-18) hung around for a quarter, trailing 18-14, before the Coyotes took off. Junior Steven Masini led three Dora players in double figures with 22 points, while sophomore Cache Skelley added 15 and junior Bryson Paxton 10.

For the Broncos, senior Hugo Diaz posted 10 points, and senior Ricky Ramirez had nine.

In girls contests played on Wednesday night:

Melrose 48, Logan 46 - In the District 6-1A tournament at Logan, the third-seeded Lady Buffs evened the season series with the Lady Longhorns at 2-2, posting their second road win against Logan. Melrose was slated to face top-seeded Fort Sumner (17-3) in Friday's title match at Fort Sumner.

Logan (21-6), seeded second, erased a six-point, first-quarter deficit to pull even 28-28 at the half. But Melrose (18-7) built its lead back to six at the end of the third quarter.

Junior Isabelle Sena had 19 points for the Lady Buffs, while sophomore Graci Odom drained four 3-pointers for 12. For the Lady Longhorns, senior Reece Goldston led the way with 12 points.

Dora 74, Floyd 17 - In the three-team District 4-1A meet, the second-seeded Lady Coyotes cruised after opening a 25-4 lead at the quarter to win at home. Dora (12-10) faced Gateway Christian (16-2) in Friday's championship tilt at Roswell.

All 11 players scored for the Lady Coyotes, led by sophomore Nealeigh Burrow and freshman Justice Deason with 10 apiece and sophomore Faith Jasso with nine. For the Lady Broncos (2-15), sophomore Jona Baros scored seven points.