8th Lady Mules vs. Shallowater (12-15-2014)

8^th Lady Mules vs. Shallowater (12-15-2014)

The eight grade Lady Mules struggled to find the basket Monday evening when they hosted the Shallowater Fillies. The Lady Mules fell hard in the game 32-8.

The Fillies shut out the Lady Mules in three of four periods. Shallowater led 16-0 at the half.

Natalee Elizalde finally broke the scoring ice for the Lady Mules by putting back an offensive rebound with 2:10 remaining in the third period. Elizalde finished the period with a hoop that beat the buzzer to end the period.

The Lady Mules are currently enjoying the Christmas break and will be back on the hardwoods January 5 in Dimmitt against the Bobbies. The Lady Mules will travel to Levelland to play in the Lobo Tournament January 8-10. The Lady Mules will return home January 12 to host the Littlefield Lady Cats.

7th Lady Mules vs. Shallowater (12-15-2014)

7^th Lady Mules vs. Shallowater (12-15-2014)

The seventh grade Lady Mules discovered that the Shallowater Fillies were just to strong for them Monday evening. It was the final game for the Lady Mules prior to the Christmas break.

The Fillies dominated in three of four periods to take the game 35-13. Anahi Sandoval sank a bucket from the elbow in the third period to match the two-point out put of the Fillies.

The Lady Mules trailed after one period 10-3 with Val Toscano breaking the scoring ice for the Lady Mules with just over four minutes left in the first period. She made a free throw. Destiny Vasquez finished the period with a bucket.

Sandoval drove for a hoop in the second period and Toscano made a pair from the charity line. The Fillies led the Lady Mules 25-7 at the intermission.

Abi Reyes finished a fast break to start the final period but missed the lay up. She grabbed the rebound and put the ball up and in for a basket. The Fillies went on an eight-point run before Emily Mora passed to Sandoval on the blocks for a hoop.

The Lady Mules will open the New Year at Dimmitt against the Bobbies January 5 and then play in the Levelland Lobo Tournament January 8-10 with times to be announced later. The Lady Mules return home January 12 to host the Littlefield Lady Cats. 

JV Lady Mules vs. Floydada & Abernathy Shootout (12-9&11-13-2014)

JV Lady Mules vs. Floydada & Abernathy Shootout (12-9&11-13-2014)

The JV Lady Mules seem to believe in keeping things exciting at times and then at other times just run rough shod over the competition. Against the Floydada Lady Winds Tuesday night it was exciting. The Lady Mules just eased past the Winds 33-27.

In the first game of the Abernathy Shootout the Lady Mules only allowed the New Deal Lady Lions three points during the game. The Lady Mules took the day 35-3.

Friday the Lady Mules knew they had little in their favor when they took on the host Abernathy Lady Lopes. The Lady Mules got after the Lopes early and did not let up until near the end. The Lady Mules defeat Abernathy 36-29.

The biggest challenge of the tournament came in the championship game Saturday when the Lady Mules faced the Nazareth Swiftettes. The Lady Mules fell behind early but after that it was an even battle. The Lady Mules placed second in the Shootout by losing to the Swiftettes 26-22.

The Lady Mules and Floydada were even after the first period Tuesday but came out swing in the second period to take a 17-13 lead by the intermission. They added two points to their margin in the third period and then cruised through the final period.

“We squeezed by again,” said Lady Mule coach Edie Niblett. “We have to learn to take advantage of the clock when we are in a tight game. I am proud of all the girls for their awesome hustle till the very end.”

“Imelda Salcido did a great job of helping handle the ball and scoring at crucial times. Brittney Mendoza led the Lady Mules with five steals and 10 points.”

Salcido finished with seven points and Yasmine Sandoval had six. Marissa Reyes dropped in four points. Jasmine Garza, Karla Bustillos and Marilyn Melendez chipped in two points each.

New Deals only three points came in the third period. The Lady Mules ran out to an 18-0 first period lead and extended it to 25-0 at the intermission. The Lady Mules added 10 points in the second half for the win.

“The girls jumped all over New Deal in the first quarter with our press,” continued Niblett. Everyone got plenty of playing time.”

Garza led the way with 11 points and Melendez finished with six. Gloria Gonzales, Mendoza and Reyes added four points each. Desi Gutierrez, Sandoval and Hallie Myatt chipped in two points each.

Abernathy could not match up with the Lady Mules in the first period and the Lady Mules rode the lead through the game.

“We just out hustled the girls from Abernathy to get the win,” stated Coach Niblett. “We had 22 turnovers and were still able to clinch the win. This team works harder every game. Reyes led the Lady Mules with 11 points.”

Gutierrez finished with eight points and Sandoval made seven. Garza finished with five points, Mendoza added four and Melendez chipped in one point.

Nazareth jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the opening period but after that it was an even battle with both teams scoring six points in both the second and third periods. The Lady Mules made up a point in the final period by out scoring the Swiftettes 5-4.

“This will go down as a win in my book,” continued Coach Niblett. We got our scored in the first quarter but I can not express in words how proud I am of this group. They played their hearts out. They had nothing left and did everything I asked if them plus more. They just keep on keeping on!”

Gutierrez led the scoring for the Lady Mules with eight points. Mendoza and Reyes dropped in four points each. Myatt dropped in three points, Melendez had two and Garza chipped in one point.

The Lady Mules traveled to Lubbock Roosevelt to play the Lady Eagles Tuesday night. The Lady Mules will take the Christmas break and will return to action January 6 when they host the Bovina Lady Mustangs. 

9th Mules vs. Tulia (12-8-2014)

9^th Mules vs. Tulia (12-8-2014)

The freshmen Mules got off to a slow start Monday at Tulia against the Hornets. But the Mules managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Tulia jumped out to a 12-8 lead but the Mules chipped one point off the Hornet lead in the second period.

The Hornets led 20-17 at the intermission. Tulia increased their lead to 32-23 after three quarters and the Mules could have quit. Instead the Mules came roaring back to out score the Hornets 15-5 in the final period for a 38-37 win.

“We are on a win streak,” said Mule coach David Sturdivant. “We are doing a good job on the offensive side of running our offense and getting the open look. Still need to work on finishing some of those shots.”

“We are still not shooting free throws like we need to. We were three of 22 from the line. This is a hard working group of kids and they never quit.”

Mickey Lozano led the Mules in scoring against the Hornets with 20 points. Brendon Rodriguez finished with 11 points and JoJo Rejino had four. Jacob Kettner chipped in three points.

The Mules traveled to Shallowater Monday night to face the Mustangs before taking the Christmas break. The Mules return to action January 5, 2015 when they start the second round of district by hosting the Dimmitt Bobcats.

8th Lady Mules vs. Tulia (12-8-2014)

8^th Lady Mules vs. Tulia (12-8-2014)

The eighth grade Lady Mules suffered a disappointing loss Monday night at the hands of the Tulia Hornets. They led 18-4 with 3:23 left in the third quarter. The Hornets went on a 12 point run before the period ended to cut the Lady Mule lead to 18-16.

The Hornets put up 12 points in the first four minutes of the fourth period to lead the Lady Mules 28-18. The Lady Mules came back firing but ran out of time and lost to the Hornets 28-23.

Alyssa Wheeler scored on a fast break to put the Lady Mules up early. She scored on a second fast break and Kyndal Miller picked a Hornets pocket and drove the floor to just beat the buzzer and put the Lady Mules up 6-4.

Keely Dunham picked off a Tulia pass in the defensive paint and drove the floor for a lay up. Natalie Diaz was fouled shooting and made a free throw. Diaz was fouled a second time and made a free throw before the half ended.

Dunham scored in the paint to put the Lady Mules up 14-4 a minute and half into the third period. Miller added a basket from the elbow and Diaz made a pair of free throws to extend the Lady Mule lead to 18-4.

Tulia took over for the final three minutes of the quarter with a 12-point scoring run. The Hornet run lasted until the last 35 seconds of the game.

Dunham broke the run when she scored from the blocks. Wheeler was fouled out front and made a free throw. Dunham put back an offensive rebound to end the game.

Dunham led the Lady Mules with 10 points. Wheeler finished with five points. Diaz and Miller added four points each.

The Lady Mules host the Shallowater Fillies to start the second round of district Monday. They will take the Christmas break and then will travel to Dimmitt January 5, 2015.