Loboes Tame Lamesa Tornadoes 54-43
     By Jon Fulbright, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, January 16, 2007

The Monahans Loboes basketball team took an early lead on the Lamesa Golden Tornadoes Friday night and would widen the margin in second and third periods, before coming away with a 53-42 win over their former district rival at the Jerry Larned Sports Complex.

Monahans held Lamesa to just 17 first half points, and led by 13 after three quarters in scoring their third win at home in their last four games.  The only loss during that span came at the hands of another former district rival, Greenwood, who the Loboes will face on the Rangers' home court on Tuesday night.

"That's the first time we've had everybody for the whole game," said Loboes' coach Thomas Clay, who used two rotations of five players each during the game.  "When we can put everybody on the floor, we're pretty athletic."

Monahans had 3-points from Ricky Rivera and Cameron Bennett in the first half, but did most of their scoring inside against the Tors.  "We're really running our offense a lot better, and we got some fast break points when Lamesa tried to press a bit and we were able to run," Clay said.

Arnold Rodriguez's 13 points led Monahans, while Blake Hughes also was in double figures with 11.  Clay also said he was happy with the progress of senior Chris Roberson, who returned last week from the broken arm he suffered back in early November.

"It was real good to see Roberson get to play a full game.  He play with the second group and brings so much athleticism to the floor," the Loboes' coach said.

Lamesa was led by Steven Cardin and Jordan Chapman, with 13 points apiece.  "One boy (Chapman) had 12 or their 17 points in the first half.  We did a lot better on him in the second half," Clay said.

Monahans will their 9-11 record to Greenwood, where they'll try to improve on their 72-35 homecourt loss earlier this month to the Rangers.  Austin Ivie has 13 points and Nick Taylor 12 for the Rangers in that game, as Greenwood broke things open in the middle periods against the Loboes' press.

"We'll probably continue to run two groups," Clay said.  "I feel like we have 10 players who are about the same.  We're just not going to press them like we did the last time."

Monahans also won Friday's junior Varsity game, 65-62 in a late shot by Tony Dipasquale.  Clay said their was no freshman game on Friday, because Lamesa's ninth grade team was playing in a weekend tournament.