Mules vs. Dimmitt & Slaton (1-23&26-2018)

Mules vs. Dimmitt & Slaton (1-23&26-2018)

The Mules hosted the Dimmitt Bobcats Tuesday evening and then traveled to Slaton to play the Tigers Friday night. Dimmitt outlasted the Mules 60-51 in a hard-fought contest. The Mules could not ever get on top of the Tigers. Slaton won the night 43-38.

“There is never any doubt about the effort these kids are going to give in a game,” said Mule coach, Humberto Gonzalez. “They work hard and play great defense. We just struggle to put the ball through the hoop.”

Israel Vasquez led off for the Mules with a hoop in the lane. He added a layup later in the period. Brady Martinez sank a short jumper, and Luke Del Toro chipped in a pair of free throws. The Mules trailed Dimmitt 11-8.

Del Toro made a layup and later chipped in a free throw. Vasquez scored a pair of hoops near the basket, and Martinez hit from the elbow. Romeo Reyes made three-of-four free throws. The Mules trailed 26-20 at the half.

The Mules and Bobcats battled to a dead heat in the third quarter with each team scoring 16 points. Vasquez took a pass from Martinez for a layup to start the third period. He converted a free throw to complete a three-point play. Vasquez finished the quarter with his third basket and two more charity tosses.

Del Toro dropped in a 16-foot jump shot. Reyes completed an old-fashion-three-point play. Martinez scored on an inbound play. The Mules trailed 42-36 with one quarter left to play.

Reyes sank a short jumper and put back a rebound in the final frame. Martinez made a steal and drove to the hoop. He later sank a short shot. Jacob Kettner sank a free throw. Vasquez made three from the charity line.

Vasquez paced the Mules with 20 points. Martinez and Reyes finished with ten points each. Del Toro added seven points. Kettner chipped in one point.

Raul Sierra made back-to-back jump shots to get the Mules started in the opening quarter at Slaton. Wyatt Parker scored in the paint and then chipped in four from the charity line. The Mules trailed Slaton 13-10 after one period.

Julian Astorga hit from near the elbow, and Martinez sank a 16-foot jumper for the Mules only four points in the second quarter. Slaton led the Mules 26-14 at the half.

Martinez hit from behind the arc to start the second half. Vasquez had chipped in a free throw before sinking a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He scored from the elbow later in the quarter. Ethan Villa made a layup. Reyes and Parker both made short jump shots. The Mules had cut the Slaton lead to 34-29 with one quarter left to play.

Martinez and Reyes made a trey each early in the fourth period. Sierra hit from 12 feet, and Vasquez chipped in a free throw.

Parker and Martinez led the Mules with eight points each. Vasquez dropped in seven points, and Sierra added six points. Reyes finished with five points. Astorga and Villa chipped in two points each.

The Mules hosted the Friona Chieftains Tuesday evening and will travel to Shallowater to play the Mustangs Friday night.