Lady Loboes Shoot for Upset Tonight Against Seminole
   By Chris Gove, Staff Writer ~~ Odessa American, February 15, 2007
      cgove@oaoa.com

In one corner tonight at the Odessa College Sports Center are the Seminole Maidens.

Fresh off a thrilling 41-39 bi-district victory against Andrews just two days ago, the Maidens are one victory from reaching the Region I-3A quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

In their way is Monahans, making its first playoff appearance since 2005 and looking for its first playoff victory in recent memory.

And when the Class 3A area-round game tips off at 7 p.m., the Lady Loboes (15-14) intend to do everything they can to upset the Maidens (21-10).

“I don’t when the last time is the girls made it to area in basketball around here,” second-year Monahans head coach Treasure Thaggard said. “I haven’t been able to find out.”

Monahans earned a bye in the bi-district round as the District 2-3A champions — a distinction it earned by winning a district playoff game against Pecos.

Though basketball tradition is squarely on Seminole’s side, Thaggard thinks that reputation could be changing for her program.

“They’re out to prove something and they’re not satisfied just going to area,” Thaggard said. “They want to win area and they want to go as far down that line as they can go. They’re pumped.”

The Lady Loboes are led by four seniors, including Catherine Cutbirth, who Thaggard said can play either guard or post.  Point guard Dina Ortiz and post Bethany Willmon are two other Monahans seniors who, like Cutbirth, also have enjoyed success in other sports at Monahans.

Lauren Fuentes is the team’s fourth senior and junior Jordan Latham gives the Lady Loboes a building block for the future — not that they want this season to end tonight in Odessa.

“I hope this is the group that gets (a basketball tradition) started and I feel like they already have,” Thaggard said.

"They’ve made great advancements and we’ve got a lot of talent coming up.  I’m just real excited about the program here.

“We’re really talented and athletic and I’m proud to be their coach."