Saturday, February 28, 2015

Lady Mules vs. Childress & Brownfield (2-16 & 20)



Lady Mules vs. Childress & Brownfield (2-16 & 20)

The Lady Mules may have surprised everyone except themselves by gathering up two gold balls this past week. The Childress Lady Cats are the District Champions of District 1-3A with 21 wins during the season and own a perfect 8-0 district run.

The Lady Mules had to chip away at a Lady Cat lead most of the night but Conley Niblett took the ball half way down the lane and drew the defense. She spun, fired a pass to Sadie Sudduth open at the top of the key.

When the ball touched Sa. Sudduth’s finger tips her feet left the floor and she launched a rainbow 3-pointer that struck gold. Only 14 seconds were left in the game as the ball swished through the net. The shot gave the Lady Mules a 47-44 lead. Childress was not able to answer before the final buzzer.

“What a great night for the Lady Mules,” said Lady Mule coach Carey Sudduth. “These kids have been amazing and have played so many close and heartbreaking games. They have hung together and learned from those situations and it paid off tonight.”

“Our theme this week has been to ‘play present.’ We have been emphasizing trying to play one possession at a time. We can’t take back mistakes and we can’t do anything about the future.”

“Play only the possession that is happening right now. You could see the kids talking to each other tonight about those things.”

“We have not played much man defense but it saved us tonight. We went to it in the final five minutes and seemed to take them out of their rhythm. A great effort by our girls tonight and we are very excited about moving on in the Playoffs.”

The Brownfield Lady Cubs had defeated the Lady Mules in the first game of the season and had racked up an impressive record of 24-11. The Cubs had defeated Alpine 50-19 for Bi-District.

Sa. Sudduth, Shanice Rosas and Conley Niblett all fouled out Friday night in the double overtime rough-and-tumble game. Dani Diaz, a Lady Mule senior, was not ready for the season to end and put the game on her shoulders.

She made a driving lay up to tie the game in regulation to force the OT. D. Diaz made both baskets for the Lady Mules in the first overtime to keep the game tied. In what turned out to be the final four minutes of the game, D. Diaz made eight-of-eight free throws to clinch the 63-61 win for the Lady Mules second gold ball.

“Every girl in black contributed to our win tonight over Brownfield,” continued Coach Sudduth after the Area game. “They played like they are on a mission. We were not happy with the way we were playing back in December but these kids have really turned things around.”

The Lady Mules jumped in front of Childress early but the Lady Cats came back to claim a 16-10 advantage by the end of the opening period. Niblett made a free throw for the Lady Mules’ first point. She added two more charity tosses before the period ended.

Sa. Sudduth made a pair of baskets and Sydnie Sudduth drove for a hoop. Yvonne Diaz was fouled shooting and made a free throw.

The Lady Mules began to chip away at the six point deficit in the second period. Sa. Sudduth made a jump shot from inside the arc to start the second quarter. She later drove through the defense for a lay up.

Niblett chipped in a free throw and scored in the paint before the period ended. Sa. Sudduth beat the buzzer with a baseline jumper. The Lady Mules had trimmed two points off the Childress lead and trailed 23-19 at the half.

D. Diaz opened the third period with a free throw and chipped in two more before the quarter ended. Niblett continued to patrol the lane and made a free throw and a reverse lay up before the quarter ended. Sa. Sudduth made a driving lay up to finish a fast break. The Lady Mules had cut the Lady Cat lead to 29-27 with one period left to play.

D. Diaz finished a fast break just 18 seconds into the final frame to tie the game. Sa. Sudduth broke the tie with a trey from the top of the key and later added a free throw.

Childress would not go away and sank three 3-pointers in the final eight minutes and was six-of-seven from the free throw line.

Y. Diaz put back an offensive rebound and Sy. Sudduth drove for a hoop. Rosas scored from the blocks to give the Lady Mules a brief 43-42 lead.

Sa. Sudduth led the Lady Mules with 19 points. Niblett finished with 12 points and D. Diaz made all seven of her points in the second half. Sy. Sudduth added four points, Rosas two and Y. Diaz chipped in one.

The Cubs had taken a one-point lead over the Lady Mules after one quarter. The Lady Mules exploded for 19 points in the second period to claim a 31-23 lead over Brownfield. The Cubs chipped away and tied the game at the end of regulation and stayed even through one OT. Fouls took out three Lady Mules and four Cubs.

Niblett was fouled shooting in the paint and made both from the charity line to open the Area game in Littlefield. She added a hoop before the period ended. Sa. Sudduth hit a jumper from the elbow and Sy. Sudduth made a pair of driving lay ups. D. Diaz was fouled on a fast break and she made both free throws. 

D. Diaz sank a 3-pointer from the wing to open the second quarter. She added three from the charity line before the half ended. Niblett scored twice from the blocks and chipped in a free throw.

Niblett and D. Diaz got assists after they passed to Y. Diaz working under the hoop. Sa. Sudduth made a free throw and sank a trey from the top of the key. The Lady Mules had opened a 31-23 lead by the intermission.

The Cubs came roaring back after the break and cut the Lady Mule lead to a single point by the time the third period ended. Niblett opened the third quarter with hoop from the paint and Y. Diaz put back an offensive rebound.

D. Diaz drove the left side for a hoop and chipped in a free throw. The Lady Mules led 38-37 with eight minutes left in regulation.

Sa. Sudduth made a free throw to open the final quarter. Sy. Sudduth chipped in a pair from the charity line and Rosas dropped in one freebie. D. Diaz took over the game and started with a pair of free throws.

She nailed a 3-pointer to give the Lady Mules a 45-42 lead with three minutes left in the game. D. Diaz drove from the left side and kissed the ball off the glass to tie the game at 49-49 and keep the Lady Mules alive.

The Lady Mules screwed down the defensive pressure in the overtime and held the Cubs to four points. D. Diaz answered with two hoops to force a second OT.

D. Diaz set the tone for the final overtime by making a pair of free throws. She went to the line three more times and made both charity tosses every time. Y. Diaz dropped in one charity toss and cleaned up the garbage with a put back.

D. Diaz went to the charity line nine times and made 16 free throws. She also made two treys and four hoops to lead the Lady Mules with 30 points. Niblett finished with 11 points and Y. Diaz made nine points.

Sa. Sudduth dropped in seven points and Sy. Sudduth added six points. Rosas chipped in one point.

The Lady Mules played the Shallowater Fillies in the Regional Quarter Finals in Texas Tech’s United Supermarkets Spirit Area Tuesday night. It is the third meeting of the two teams and Shallowater won both. 

MHS Powerlfting @ Seagraves (2-21-2014)



MHS Powerlfting @ Seagraves (2-21-2014)

The Muleshoe Powerlifting team completed their regular season in the Seagraves Eagle Invitational Powerlifting Meet Saturday. The Regional qualifiers have yet to be determined as there is one more week of competition but the Muleshoe squad will not be attending.

“Today was our final regular season invitational meet,” said Muleshoe Powerlifting coach Kirk Byrd. “All of our lifters finished on a high note as they lifted their best totals of the year.”

“I was very proud of all our kids this year. We will not know for a couple of weeks who has qualified for the Regional Meets. I am confident that Brianna (Barron), Evan (Paez) and David (Rodriguez) should make it to the next level.”

Brianna Barron set the pace for the Lady Mules with a second place finish in the 97 pound weight class. She had a squat lift of 175 pounds, bench pressed 75 pounds and deadlifted 210 pounds for a total of 460.

David Rodriguez earned the gold medal in the 275 pound weight class with a total of 1380 pounds. He squat lifted 585 pounds, bench pressed 320 pounds and deadlifted 475 pounds.

Noa Rojas placed third in the 165 weight class. She had a squat lift of 215 pounds, bench pressed 100 pounds and deadlifted 240 pounds for a total of 555 pounds.

Ruby Andrade finished fifth in the 114 pound class with a total of 485 pounds. She had a squat lift of 205 pounds, bench pressed 75 pounds and deadlifted 205 pounds. Jaide Gandarilla and Daniella Cortez placed sixth and seventh in the 148 pound class.

Gandarilla had a squat lift of 205 pounds, bench pressed 100 pounds and deadlifted 245 pounds for a total of 550 pounds. Cortez also had a total of 550 pounds. She squat lifted 210 pounds, bench pressed 95 pounds and deadlifted 345 pounds.

Evan Paez earned the silver medal in the 114 pound class with a total of 755 pounds. He had a squat lift of 275 pounds, bench pressed 150 pounds and deadlifted 330 pounds.

Carlos Hernandez and Cesar Olvera finished fourth and fifth in the 181 pound class with weight totals of 965 pounds and 960 pounds respectively. Hernandez squat lifted 395 pounds, bench pressed 160 pounds and deadlifted 410 pounds. Olvera squat lifted 340 pounds, bench pressed 215 pounds and deadlifted 405 pounds.

The Girls’ Regional Meet will be held in Mertzon Friday, March 6, and the Boy’s Regional Meet is scheduled for Saturday, March 14.   

Mules vs. Dimmitt & Littlefield (2-17&20-2015)



Mules vs. Dimmitt & Littlefield (2-17&20-2015)

Despite three Mules reaching double figures and one just a point away the Mules could not keep the Dimmitt Bobcats under control and dropped the final regular season game 59-53. The win gave the Bobcats sole possession of second place in the district.

The Mules dropped into a three-way tie for third place. The Mules won the flip for the bye in the seeding tournament and Littlefield was pitted against Friona in the opening game. Littlefield defeated the injury laden Chieftains and faced the Mules Friday.

The Mules vs. Wildcats game was nip-and-tuck through the first three quarters and six minutes of the final frame. The Mules separated themselves from the Wildcats in the final two minutes for a 52-45 win. It was the third time during the season the Mules had defeated Littlefield.

Wes Clarkson sank a trey to start the game from near the corner to put the Mules on top early. Jason Florez kept up the attack and dropped in a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He added two more baskets before the period ended.

Florez got the assist when he fired a pass down the lane to Blayne Shipman working in the paint for a hoop. Danny Campos chipped in a free throw and the Mules led 13-10 after one period.

 Clarkson opened the second quarter with his second 3-pointer of the game. The Mules made nine of 13 free throws in the period with Dagen Dunham dropping in five of six from the charity line and he put back an offensive rebound for seven points.

Tony Vasquez and Florez chipped in a free throw each and Beto Diaz dropped in two from the charity line. Tony Castillo put back an offensive rebound. The Mules had dropped behind 32-29 by the half.

The Mules came up with only eight points in the third period. Florez, Dunham, Campos and Castillo each made a hoop. Dimmitt had increased their lead to 49-37.

The Mules tried to climb back in but ran out of time in the final period. Campos drove the baseline for a hoop, made a pair of free throws and put back two offensive rebounds for hoops. He scored eight of his 11 points in the final period.

Clarkson dropped in his third trey of the game. Dunham made two baskets and Florez chipped in a free throw.

Dunham led the Mules with 13 points. Florez and Campos finished with 11 points each. Clarkson added nine points and Castillo dropped in four points. Shipman and Diaz made two points each and Vasquez chipped in one point.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first period before Dunham scored in the paint. He added a second basket and a free throw and canned a 3-pointer as the first period ended.

Florez picked off a pass and drove to the hoop. He added a hoop before the period ended. Campos continued as the garbage man and cleaned up other Mule misses and put the ball in the hoop twice. The Mules trailed 18-16 after one quarter.

The Mules managed to reverse the table on the Wildcats in the second period. Flores drove for a hoop and dropped in a 3-pointer. He finished the quarter with a pair of free throws.

Clarkson gave the Mules a 21-19 lead with a 3-pointer from the corner. He scored inside the arc later in the period. Diaz scored a he fell to the floor. The Mules led 30-28 at the intermission.

The Mules only managed four points in the third period and Dunham scored them all. He made a pair of free throws and made a hoop from the baseline. The Mules held Littlefield to seven points and only trailed 35-34 with eight minutes left to play.

The Mules out ran the Wildcats 18-10 in the final frame for the win. The difference could have been more but the Mules left eight points on the table with missed free throws.

Castillo made a driving hoop and Campos continued to clean the glass with two hoops. Florez made four free throws, a trey and a basket.

Florez led the Mules with 20 points and Dunham finished with 15. Campos had eight points and Clarkson made five. Diaz and Castillo chipped in two points each.

The win made the Mules the third seed in the district and faced the Spearman Lynx for Bi-District in the Tascosa Rebel Gym Tuesday evening. The winner of Tuesday night’s game in Amarillo will play the winner of Kermit vs. Slaton in the Area round of the Playoffs. 

JV Mules vs. Dimmitt (2-17-2015)



JV Mules vs. Dimmitt (2-17-2015)

The JV Mules were not good host Tuesday evening when they utilized the second and third periods to cage the Dimmitt Bobcats in the final game of the season. Both teams got off to a slow start in the opening period.

The Mules exploded for 25 points in the second period and added 18 in the third period to defeat the Bobcats 53-31.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Jesse Leal passed to Donavan Gutierrez working the high post area near the free throw line. Gutierrez jump shot from the elbow put the first two points on the board for the Mules.

Aaryn Ross put back his own rebound with the clock running down. The Mules trailed 7-4 after one period.

Gutierrez nailed a trey from the corner 20 seconds into the second period to tie the game. Ross sank a 3-pointer from the right wing on the Mules’ next trip down the floor. Leal was fouled shooting and made both shots from the charity line to put the Mules in front to stay.

Ross finished a fast break to extend the separation of the two teams. Tristan Boehning stole the Dimmitt inbound pass after Ross’ basket and gently kissed the ball off the glass and through the hoop.

Ross lobbed the ball over the defense to Gutierrez posting up on the blocks. Gutierrez took the ball to the hoop for a basket. Dimmitt scored to interrupt a 14-4 Mule scoring run.

Boehning scored the Mules next five points. He put back an offensive rebound, finished a fast break and made a free throw after being fouled shooting. Ross sank into the corner and hit his second trey of the period.

Leal wrapped up the second period by fighting through a foul for a fast-break basket. He added the free throw for a 29-14 Mule lead at the half.

The Bobcats scored first to start the second half. Gutierrez worked his way down the lane for a hoop. Javy Perez put back a rebound and then scored from the elbow on the Mules’ next possession.

Boehning tipped the Dimmitt inbound pass and Ross chased down the ball and drove to the hoop. Ross hit back-to-back 3-pointers near the four minute mark of the third period. Guiterrez made a pair of free throws and Boo Flores finished the period with a fast break bucket. The Mules led 47-20 with one period left to play.

Leal made back-to-back buckets in the final period and Boehning scored from near the blocks.

Ross made four treys in the game and led the Mules with 18 points. Gutierrez finished with 11 points. Boehning and Leal added nine points each. Perez dropped in four points and Flores chipped in two points.

Several of the JV Mules stepped up to the varsity to practice and travel with the Mules in the playoffs.       

Sunday, February 15, 2015

MHS Powerlifting at Levelland (2-14-2015)



MHS Powerlifting at Levelland (2-14-2015)

The eight Muleshoe High School Powerlifters spent Valentines Day at the Levelland Lobo Powerlifting Meet. Two Lady Mule and two Mule lifters came home with medals.

“Levelland holds the largest Powerlifting meet in our area,” said Muleshoe Powerlifting coach Kirk Byrd. “There were 275 lifters here today so the competition is stiff. Eight kids competed and four earned medals.”

“That was outstanding considering the number of large schools competing in this meet. Levelland, Midland Lee, Plainview and Seminole are just a few of those schools.”

“Each our of our kids improved a lot since the last meet. I am very proud of how hard the kids have worked. But we still need to make improvement to get as many of our lifters qualified for the Regional and State Meets.”

Brianna Barron led the Lady Mules with a third place finish in the 97 pound class. Noa Rojas finished fifth in the 165 pound class. Evan Paez earned third place in the 114 pound class and David Rodriguez placed fourth in the 275 pound class.

The Lady Mules placed ninth out of 14 teams.

Barron had a total of 450 pounds. She had a squat lift of 170 pounds, bench pressed 75 pounds and deadlifted 205 pounds. Rojas made a squat lift of 205 pounds, bench pressed 100 pounds and deadlifted 250 pounds for a total of 555 pounds.

Brianna Velasquez placed sixth in the 123 pound class with a total of 490 pounds. She had a squat lift of 185 pounds, bench pressed 85 pounds and deadlifted 220 pounds. Ruby Andrade was seventh in the 114 pound class with a squat lift of 200 pounds, bench press of 80 pounds and a deadlift of 200 pounds for a total of 480 pounds.

Jaida Gandarilla placed ninth in the 148 pound class with a total of 525 pounds. She squat lifted 205 pounds, bench pressed 90 pounds and deadlifted 230 pounds. Daniella Cortez placed tenth in the 148 pound class. She had a squat lift of 195 pounds, bench pressed 85 pounds and deadlifted 245 pounds for a total of 525 pounds.

Paez had a total of 750 pounds. He had a squat lift of 260 pounds, bench pressed 160 pounds and deadlifted 750 pounds. Rodriguez squat lifted 550 pounds, bench pressed 315 pounds and deadlifted 460 pounds for a total of 1375 pounds.

The Muleshoe Powerlifting teams regular season competition will be in the Seagraves Eagles Meet February 21. It is the final opportunity to qualify for the Regional Meet.