Buffs, Lady Buffs roll into title clashes

MELROSE — The home teams certainly had their way in advancing to the finals of their own tournament on Friday night.

Melrose’s boys harassed Tatum all over the court, forcing 31 turnovers while sinking nine 3-point baskets en route to a 79-41 victory in the semifinals of the American Bank tournament. Meantime, the Lady Buffs had even fewer problems, holding Hagerman to three field goals and notching a 74-11 triumph.

The Buffaloes (2-0) were to face Clayton, a 65-48 winner over Grady, in Saturday night’s boys finale, while the girls squared off against Tatum, a 54-48 winner over Clayton.

Four players scored in double figures for the Melrose boys, led by sophomore Josiah Roybal’s three 3-pointers and 16 points. In addition, two others finished with nine points.

“I think it shows the kind of talent we have,” first-year Buffs coach Drew Hatley said. “It’s a lot of fun to be around these kids.”

Junior Michael Cardonita knocked down a 3-pointer and Roybal followed with two more to give Melrose a 9-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Coyotes (1-2), who had two starters away participating in an 8-man football all-star game, were never able to recover.

“We came out pressing pretty good and kept going at a fast pace,” said Cardonita, who missed most of the football season with a torn LCL and is just rounding back into shape. “We came out shooting lights out. We were really on tonight.”

Cardonita finished with 12 points, while freshman Jaxon Odom had 11, sophomore Brayden Eldridge tallied 10 and junior Dathan Yeary and sophomore Josh Roybal — Josiah’s twin — added nine apiece.

Tatum was able to stay within 35-20 at halftime, but Melrose opened the second half with seven points from Josiah Roybal and a stickback by Cardonita to extend its advantage to 24.

Cardonita was injured during the first week of football practice and didn’t return until late in the campaign.

“I work hard every day to try to get back into the game,” he said.

Clayton (4-0) opened a 20-point halftime lead before Grady (2-1) picked up the pace after halftime. Rylan Ruf, a 6-3 senior, scored 21 points while senior guard Cole Keeth added 15 for the Yellowjackets.

Junior Zane Rush paced the Bronchos, who were to face Tatum for third place, with 20 tallies.

In a consolation semifinal, Floyd pulled away in the second half to beat Quemado 41-29, outscoring the Eagles 22-12 after leading by two at halftime.

Edwin Gallegos led the Broncos (1-1) with 16 points while his cousin, Brayan Gallegos scored 11 and Isaias Nieto added nine. For Quemado (2-2), Ike Cline finished with 11 points and Blazen McPhaul had 9.

In the girls semifinals, Melrose struggled mightily early, missing seven consecutive foul shots before the second of two went for senior Chantzee Elliott to break the scoring ice after more than 3 1/2 minutes.

By the end of the quarter, though, it was 16-0 and the Lady Bobcats (1-1) didn’t get on the board until junior Briana Lard’s layup made it 23-2 nearly three minutes into the second canto.

The Lady Buffs (3-0), who won at Class 5A Manzano 44-42 in their season opener on Monday, outdid the boys a bit with five players in double figures, led by senior Sorrell Allen and sophomore Paityn Nicholson with 13 points each. Senior Isabelle Sena and junior Kaylee Elliott added 11 apiece and junior Graci Odom finished with 10, while sophomore Kinlee Bradley wasn’t far off with eight.

“We were just struggling to get into rhythm,” Lady Buffs coach Kevin Lackey said. “We just started to (eventually) play more relaxed.”

Lard accounted for six points for the Lady Bobcats (1-1), including their only 3-point basket.

Lackey said he figured his squad would have its work cut out in the finals.

“Tatum made a statement with their win over Clayton,” he said. “They were ranked No. 1 in (Class) 2A, and the defending state champions.”

In consolation semifinals, Grady posted a 54-33 win over Gateway Christian while Quemado downed Floyd 49-20.

Junior Shayla White finished with 19 points for Grady (2-1), which broke away from a 10-10 tie by outscoring the Lady Warriors 20-4 in the second stanza. Junior December Garza added 15 points and sophomore Juanita Ramirez tallied 13.

For Gateway (0-4), sophomore Allyssa Fox scored 12 points.

Quemado (3-1) got off to a 20-3 lead in the first quarter and rolled behind 11 points from Tori Hood and 10 from Nekisha Garcia. Meantime, Nevaeha Brown led the Lady Broncos (0-2) with 10 points.