Rams use big second-half run to beat Elks

PORTALES ¬– Guards Paxton Culpepper and Davian Lucero were noticeably quiet in the first half against Pojoaque on Thursday night, both going scoreless.

That all changed quickly when play resumed.

Culpepper, a sophomore, funneled in 11 of his 15 points in the third stanza while Lucero, a senior, added 12 in the half as the Rams ran away from the Elks 61-39 on the first night of the Portales Shootout.

Leading just 29-24 midway through the third stanza, Portales went on a 23-2 blitz to double up the Elks (9-4) with five minutes to go in the game.

It was a rematch of Pojoque’s Ben Lujan Invitational in late December, with the Elks pulling out a 66-64 victory in overtime in that one.

“I think we came out with more energy,” Culpepper said of the second half. “We really wanted to win that game.”

PHS coach Randy McBroom said he thought his squad should have beaten the Elks the first time, although he added that Pojoaque, ranked fourth in Class 4A by MaxPreps, is among the better teams at that level.

“They’re a great ballteam,” McBroom said. “We’ve got kids that make plays. When they got hot, they can really light it up.”

PHS (8-7) held the Elks to just two field goals in building a 17-4 lead early in the second period. Pojoaque then got back in it with a quick 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from senior guard Derek Sanchez, and stayed within striking distance until the Rams’ third-period blitz.

“We had to focus coming into this game,” Culpepper said. “It was a heartbreaking loss over there, but we came back for revenge, and we got it.”

Both teams struggled early. Portales led 2-0 before sophomore reserve Jase Hightower came off the bench for a 3-pointer and another basket, helping spark the Rams’ run late in the quarter.

Sanchez, averaging nearly 24 ppg coming in, was limited to 12 and no one else reached double digits for the Elks.

“For our kids to come out and take them out of almost everything, I’ve got to give them props,” McBroom said.

Lucero added nine rebounds and three assists for the Rams, while senior Emmanuel Diahn grabbed seven boards.

“Our defense was way better tonight (than in the first meeting),” Culpepper said. “We just played with a lot more intensity and energy.”

In Thursday’s other matchup, El Paso Cathedral defeated Andrews 54-44. The Rams were slated to face Cathedral on Friday and Andrews on Saturday to round out the event.

This week, PHS has three games on tap – Tuesday night at Texico, Thursday night against New Mexico Military in Roswell and on Saturday afternoon against Dexter at the RAC.