Littlefield tops Rams in semifinals

FARWELL — Portales High’s boys had no trouble shaking off a season-opening loss in Thursday’s quarterfinals of the Farwell Invitational.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have a smaller, overmatched foe.

Senior guards Xodus Gomez and Davian Lucero and senior forward Markus Aranda combined for 44 points and the Rams cruised past Class 1A Silverton 66-35.

In Friday’s semifinals, though, Portales (2-2) dropped a 61-52 decision to Littlefield and was slated to face Sundown in Saturday’s third-place tilt.

Gomez and Aranda finished with 15 points each against Silverton while Lucero chipped in 14 for PHS, which opened a 17-4 lead at the quarter and steadily pulled away.

“We played as a team,” said Aranda, whose total represented a personal best. “It was our first time playing against a zone, so I thought we did pretty good.”

Rams coach Randy McBroom said his squad was able to push the ball successfully against the Owls (3-6 after a Friday consolation semifinal win over Texico).

“It’s great to win your first game in a tournament,” he said. “These guys took care of our business today.”

Junior Sawyer Francis led Silverton with 14 points, while senior Kooper Cox added 10.

Littlefield 61, Portales 52 — The Rams hung with the Wildcats (5-5) for much of the contest, but Littlefield was slowly able to build its lead and held PHS off down the stretch.

“The kids battled right down to the end,” McBroom said. “I love the heart of this team. They were busting their butt trying to make something happen.

“Offensively, we’re definitely growing and the more we play, the better we’re going to get.”

Jeremiah Salazar led three Wildcats in double figures with 14 points, while 6-foot-5 senior Zeke Saenz had 12 and sophomore Chippy Green 11. Littlefield led 17-13 at the quarter and slowly expanded its margin.

Portales faced Sundown for third place on Saturday. The Rams’ next outing is on Tuesday at Clovis.