Steers cruise past Spearman

FARWELL – On paper, it looked like an even matchup. And for a half, it was just that.

Leading by only three points at the intermission, Farwell outscored Spearman 42-13 over the final two stanzas to register a 69-37 win over the Lynx on Monday afternoon.

Junior guards Braddock Foster (24) and Hudson Agee (15) and freshman guard Coy Miller (12) accounted for most of the scoring for the Steers (14-3), ranked 11th in Texas Class 2A by MaxPreps. Agee, scoreless at halftime, and Foster each tallied 15 points in the second half while Miller was called up from the junior varsity for his first varsity action with senior Ryder McElroy out due to illness.

Senior center/forward Hector Diaz paced the Lynx (15-4), ranked 15th in 2A, with 23 points, but no one else had more than five.

"When we get the ball moving, we've got guys that can score," Steers coach Shane Perkins said. "We've got unselfish kids. I thought out post players had one of their better games."

Foster and Agee came alive after halftime. Agee, scoreless until less than two minutes remained in the third segment, knocked down three 3-pointers and scored 11 in the final canto.

"Defense is our strong suit," said Foster, who averages 22 ppg and had a personal-best of 38 earlier this season against Smyer . "I just knew we would have to find some energy and be more aggressive, offensively and defensively."

Miller converted a backcourt steal into a layup to give the Steers the lead for good 9-8 midway through the first period. Down 25-16, the Lynx closed the half on an 8-2 run to pull to 27-24 and seemed ready to make a game of it.

Diaz mad it a one-point game 30 seconds into the third quarter, but Farwell's aggressive traps cause problems after that. The Steers ended the frame on a 15-2 run over four minutes and led 48-30 after three.

Farwell's biggest lead was 34 points (67-33) with just under three minutes left.

Perkins said the big difference was the energy his team found.

"It wasn't like we played a bad first half," he said. "They were hurting us around the post, but once we adjusted we kind of took their easy options away. I always say our defense starts with our ball pressure."

Turnovers were a big part of the outcome – the Steers forced 25 mechanical errors by the Lynx while committing only 12 of their own.

Farwell has three games remaining before the start of district play – Thursday against Pojoaque as part of the Portales Shootout, Friday at home against Canadian and Tuesday at Lubbock Christian.