Loboes Follow Ladies into Playoffs
    by Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~ Monahans News, February 16, 2007

The Lobo basketball team's tenacity has paid off to earn them a sport in the playoffs.  After beating Pecos Tuesday night, the Loboes ended the district season with a 2-4 record, beating the 1-5 Eagles for the third-place ranking in district 2-3A.

Starters in Tuesday's game were Arnold Rodriguez, Ricky Rivera, Tanner Owens, Sean Merrick, and Justin Patterson.  Pecos's Lucas Maja was first to score with a three-point field goal.  For Monahans, Rodriguez was the sole scorer for the first three field goals, each of which were two-pointers.  Rodriguez's last basket made the score 6-7.  Daniel Reyes made the three points for Pecos, followed by two points from Blake Hughes, bringing the score to 10-8, Pecos leading.  Chris Bates  tied the game at 10 with a two-points shot, but Reyes scored three-points at the buzzer to keep the first quarter lead from Pecos, 13-10.

Bates, Cameron Bennett, Merrick and Hughes each scored two points in the second quarter before letting Pecos score.  This gave Monahans a lead that they refused to relinquish.  Pecos only scored twice in the second quarter for a total of five points.  A three-pointer from Patterson made the half-time score 21-18.

In the third quarter, the Loboes continued to outscore the Eagles by accumulating 16 points against Pecos' 12.  Half of Monahans' 16 points came from Patterson.  Rodriguez had six, and Hughes had two, which made the score 37-30 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Pecos pushed for a comeback.  A three-pointer about halfway into the quarter brought the Eagles within one point of the Loboes, 38-39.  Chris Roberson widened with a two-point field goal and two free-throw points.  After Rodriguez scored two points, the Eagles couldn't get within five points of the Loboes.  Monahans won the game by 12 points, 52-40.

The Loboes had two player in double figures.  Rodriguez had 16 and Patterson had 12 points.  Hughes had six.  Roberson, and Rivera did all the scoring in the final quarter.  Roberson had 6, and Rivera, 4.  Bates also made four points.  Merrick and Bennett each had 2.

Monahans will play Tornillo in the first round of the playoffs.  The bi-district game will be held at 7:30 pm in Fort Stockton on February 21.

keyed by Alvin Porras, Senior '07