THURSDAY PREPS: Buffs, Lady Buffs gain tourney semifinals

MORIARTY — Melrose’s girls managed to keep their early perfect season intact on Thursday, edging Class 4A Roswell Goddard 46-45 in the opening round of the Bruce King Invitational.

Meantime, the Melrose boys posted a 67-49 win over Estancia. Both Melrose squads were to face host Moriarty in Friday’s championship semifinals.

Senior Isabelle Sena scored a personal-best 24 points to help carry the Lady Buffs (5-0), who opened the season with a win at Class 5A Manzano. She was the only Melrose player in double digits.

Senior Ericca Cannon topped the Lady Rockets (3-4) with 15 points.

The Melrose boys (4-0) had an easier time of it, roaring out to a 14-0 lead and leading by 20 at halftime against Estancia (1-2). Sophomore Brayden Eldridge led the Buffaloes with 21 points, while junior Dathan Yeary and sophomore Cy Draper added 11 apiece.

Seniors Dre Moreno andArden Boyle topped the Bears with 20 and 14, respectively.

In other area tournament action from Thursday:

Whitharral tournament— Bovina dropped its opener in the event to the host Panthers 53-30. The Mustangs (4-3) fell behind 18-2 at the quarter and were unable to recover.

Although no one reached double figures for Whitharral, eight players contributed to the scoring column led by nine from seniors Jeryn Ellred and Kaden Smith.

High scorer for the Mustangs, who were to face Lubbock-based All Saints Episcopal (10-1) on Friday, was senior Ceasar Amaya with 14 points.s

Bovina’s girls (4-6) dropped their tourney opener to Petersburg 44-41.