Loboes Race Past Blue Devils 55-44, Face Pecos Friday On Road
    By Randy Hogan - Staff Writer, The Monahans News - January 20, 2006

The Monahans Loboes played a solid game Tuesday night, defeating Presidio 55-44 in a huge district game for the Green.

Monahans 2-3 District 3-3A) desperately needed the victory to stay afloat in the district race for the three playoff positions, after falling to the Fort Stockton Panthers last week.

"We needed a game like this to get us going again," Coach Thomas Clay said.  "The kids played so hard and earned this victory tonight."

Blake Whisnand scored the first points of the game on a jump shot at the 7:09 mark in the first period.

"Blake has really improved his game," Clay said.  "His presence inside allows us to find shooters in other places."

Whisnand led all Lobo scorers with 15 points in the game.

Ricky Rivera and Chris Collins added field goals before Whisnand closed the opening period with a bucket to draw the Green with three points, trailing 9-11 with 37 seconds to play in the first.

Presidio added a three-point shot from Jose Contreras to end the period leading the Loboes 9-14.

Monahans attacked the Blue Devils inside to open the second period.  Sean Merrick added a bucket with only 12 seconds off the clock to bring MHS back within three points.

Justin Patterson stole the ball away from PHS on the following possession and drove the lane to score just moments later.  The Loboes quickly closed the gap to 13-14.

Rivera, Merrick and Collins each added field goals, to end the first half scoring for Monahans.

MHS trailed Presidio 22-24 at the intermission.

The Loboes came out of the locker room with a different look in the third period.

Monahans tied the game at 24-24 on a jump shot from Whisnand to start the momentum for the Green.

"I really didn't have to say much at the half," Coach Clay said.  "The kids knew they could beat these guys and came out ready to play in the second half.

On the following possession, Whisnand powered his way in for two points, also drawing the foul.  However, the free throw attempt was not successful, but the Loboes had regained the lead 26-24 at the 5:42 mark of the third period.

The Loboes applied intense pressure to the Devils on both ends of the court, not allowing PHS to regroup and set a play.

Collins added two field goals to take the game to 32-24 in favor of Monahans.

Presidio would score their first points of the second half with only 3:45 remaining in the third period as Jesus Martinez sank a three point shot.

Martinez led all scorers in the game with 24 points.

MHS answered with a jump shot from Rivera, and Whisnand overpowered the Devils in the lane for a basket.

On the play, Collins stole the ball and drove the court.  He pulled up and threaded a pass to Whisnand inside for the score.  Monahans led 36-29.

Chris Bates found his rhythm sinking a jump shot on a pass from Merrick, then blasted the Devil defense again on another assist from Merrick to give Monahans a commanding 40-29 lead in the closing seconds of the third period.

Monahans outscored Presidio, 18-7 in the third period.

The Loboes kept their foot on the gas in the fourth period, picking up a field goal from Bates to hold a to 10-point advantage.

MHS poured it on as Collins banked a shot off the glass, and Merrick followed with a steal and drive in the lane for two points.  Monahans led 46-32 with 5:37 to play.

Whisnand added his final field goal of the night, taking a rebound back up and filling the net for the score.

The Loboes began to demoralize the Devil defense as Bates scored on a quick inbounds pass to put Monahans up 50-37 with 3:41 to play in the game.

Bates ended the night with 11 points in the game, scoring his final basket off of a fast break to give MHS a 52-39 lead.

On the play, Presidio missed a free throw attempt and the Loboes pushed the ball down the court quickly to set up Bates score.

Rivera added three points from the free throw line to close the scoring for Monahans, and secure the district victory 55-44 over Presidio.

"It was a great team effort," Coach Clay said.  "We had good effort on both ends of the court, and out bench came in and played well for us tonight."

The Loboes hit the road Friday night to face the Pecos Eagles in a big district game for each team.

Keyed by Melissa Ramirez, Senior