Mules vs. Abernathy & Whitharral (2-4 & 7)

Mules vs. Abernathy & Whitharral (2-4 & 7)

Dagen Dunham hit a turn-around jump shot early in the Mules game in Abernathy against the Lopes and put the Mules ahead. In fact the Mules continued to lead through the first four minutes of the game with Eli Leal going on a quick scoring rampage for three driving hoops. 

Then the whistles began to be heard and Dunham had to go to the bench with two fouls quick fouls. Matt Barron and Danny Campos each scored before the period ended. Abernathy finally took the lead and led 16-14 after one period. Abernathy went on to a 62-42 win over the Mules. 

The Mules continued to battle through the second period with Dunham getting an early basket. Jason Florez made a free throw and finished the half with a fast break. Leal mad a free throw before converting an old-fashion 3-point play. He finished the half with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The Lopes had built a 38-26 lead at the intermission. 

The second half was not a good one for the Mules. 

Leal led the Mules with 23 points and he made three treys. Dunham finished with eight points and Florez scored five. Barron, Campos and Shipman chipped in two points each. 

The Mules filled their open district date with a practice game against the Whitharral Panthers. The much smaller Panthers were no match for the bigger and faster Mules. 

Dunham got a lob pass from Nacho Elizalde over the Panther defense. Dunham kissed the ball off the glass for the first two points of the game. The Mules never trailed in the game. Dunham put back a rebound on the Mules next trip down the floor. 

Barron led Elizalde with a pass down the floor for a fast-break hoop. Elizalde was fouled on drove from the left side and he made one free throw for a 7-0 Mule lead just two minutes into the game. 

Whitharral hit a trey before Leal drove the baseline and dished to Elizalde for the open shot from eight feet. Dunham put back his own shot before the Panthers made another hoop. Blaine Hurtado drove the baseline for a lay up and Florez grabbed a loose ball at mid court and drove for a lay up. The Mules led 15-5 after one period. 

Leal picked off a Panther pass and drove the floor for a hoop. Panther made a free throw. Dunham blocked a Panther shot and Elizalde drove the floor and was fouled. He made both free throws for a 19-6 Mule lead. 

Dunham cleaned the offensive board and put the ball up and in the hoop. Whitharral made their second trey. Elizalde drove the baseline for a hoop and Barron stole the in bound pass and found Leal for an easy hoop. Barron made a second steal and drove the floor for a 27-9 Mule lead.

Dunham cleared the offensive boards and scored before Barron scored on a fast break. Florez tipped a Panther pass and drove the floor. He missed his lay up but Leal was there for the put back. 

Hurtado was fouled shooting and made both free throws. Florez finished the half with a steal and drove the floor. The ball fell through the hoop with one second on the clock. The Mules had built a 37-9 lead at the intermission. 

The second half was more of the same for the Mules as they out score the Panthers 18-12 in the third period and 20-8 in the last quarter. 

Hurtado set the scoring pace for the Mules with 15 points and Elizalde added 13 points. Dunham and Barron round out the Mules in double digits with 12 points each. Leal dropped in eight points and Campos scored all seven of his points in the third period. Florez finished with six points and Shipman chipped in two points. 

The Mules completed their district schedule on the road in Friona against the Chieftains Tuesday evening. The Mules will finish no worse than third in the district and will advance to the post season.