Ladies Start Second Half of District with 64-25 Blow Out
    By Randy Hogan, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, January 20, 2006

Kym Madrid scored a game high 22 points for Monahans, and the Lady Loboes pounded the Presidio Lady Devils 64-25 at the Jerry Larned Sports Complex Tuesday night.

Monahans (3-4, District 3-3A) took an early 3-0 lead on a 3-point shot from Madrid with 7:15 to play in the first period, and the Green never looked back.

"Monahans really pushed us out of our game tonight," Coach Tara Edwards said. "The way we played tonight is not indicative of the way we have played in other district games.  I give them credit for stopping our shooters."

Presidio would tie the game 4-4 at the 6:16 mark in the opening period on a field goal from Vanessa Armendariz, but Monahans answered quickly, picking up key baskets from Catherine Cutbirth and Jordan Latham to move out from for good.

Madrid added another 3-poin shot, two field goals and two free throws to lead MHS to a 17-10 first period lead.

Monahans opened the second period with the same intensity, as Cutbirth sank a free throw and added a field goal off an offensive rebound to stretch the Green lead to 20-10.

Dina Ortiz excited the crowd with a 3-point dinger from the left side of the arch.

On the play, Madrid looked off the defender and found Ortiz open for the shot.  Ortiz drained the net to give the Ladies a 23-10 lead with 6:41 to play in the half.

Jordan Latham added a pair of free throws, and Madrid displayed her quickness scoring off a fast break up the court.

Ortiz applied big defensive pressure the entire first half, and was rewarded by scoring a basket off of a steal to move the Ladies out from 29-12 midway through the period.

Monahans took a twenty-point leady into the intermission, leading the Lady Devils 35-15.  Presidio was held to just 5 points in the second period.

"I believe that the girls were intimidated coming in to this building tonight," Coach Edwards said.  "Monahans has such a strong volleyball program, and I think the success Monahans had against us in volleyball played into the mindset of the girls here tonight.  We just didn't play like we can play."

In the third period, Monahans wasted little time going to the free throw line, as Latham drained the net twice in the opening seconds of the half.

Ortiz followed with another 3-point shot from the top of the circle, and Monahans led 45-15.

Madrid added seven consecutive points, including a lay up off of a steal, followed by a three pointer.

On the 3-point shot, Ortiz drew the defense in, then passed to Madrid open on the win.  MHS took commanding 48-17 lead.

Moments later, Camilla Cutbirth broke into the scoring column with a basket of her own following a rebound.  The big senior cleared the offensive board and put the ball back up and into the net, scoring for the Green.

Presidio coach Tara Edwards quickly called time out with 3:33 to play in the period.

When play resumed Camilla Cutbirth pounded her way into the lane, recording her second field goal to put Monahans up 52-17.

On the play, Cutbirth worked her inside game, muscling into the lane.  Latham pulled up on her drive to the basket and dished the ball to Cutbirth, who finished the play for the Lady Loboes.

Monahans closed the third period leading Presidio 55-19.

Coach Thaggard went to her bench liberally throughout the game, clocking valuable playing time for every Lady lobo.

Madrid opened the final period of play by draining her fourth 3-point shot of the night from the right side of the arch.

Latham picked up a field goal, followed by a free throw to move Ladies out to a 61-19 lead.

Chelsea Cartwright added a free throw late in the game, and Lauren Fuentes sank a jump shot from the top of the key to seal the victory for Monahans.

The Lady Loboes travel to Pecos for a key district game with the Eagles Friday night.

Keyed by Chino Arsiaga, Senior