Prep notes 2-8

The Muleshoe girls kept alive their chances of landing a first-round bye in the Class 3A playoffs with a 58-51 Friday at home against Levelland.

With one game left in the regular season, Muleshoe has already clinched a playoff spot. Muleshoe (20-8) and Levelland (21-7) are both 6-1 in district, and if both win tonight, it would mean the teams would meet in a playoff game to determine the district’s top seed. With three teams qualifying for the state playoffs from each district, the top seed earns a first-round bye.

Muleshoe has won the last two District 2-3A titles.

Muleshoe coach Shanna Simms said the key to beating Levelland was pushing the tempo.

“If we had to play half-court (offense), we would have had a real hard time,” Simms said.

Solid free-throw shooting didn’t hurt as the Lady Mules were 21 of 27 from the free-throw line in the game, including 12 of 14 in the fourth quarter.

Lindsey Wood led the Lady Mules with 17 points.

Meanwhile, the Muleshoe boys (15-12, 3-3) are in the hunt for their state playoff berth in five years. The Mules trail second-place Brownfield (16-11, 3-2) by a half-game but are a game ahead of fourth-place Littlefield (11-15, 2-4) with two games left in the regular season.

Levelland has already clinched the District 2-3A title. Three teams qualify for the playoffs.

The Mules play Cooper (0-5, 10-18) and Littlefield to end the season. Mules coach Ralph Mason said a win would likely qualify them for the playoffs, while two would guarantee it.

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In District 3-1A, the Farwell Lady Blue (14-16, 5-2 district) has also clinched a playoff spot in District 3-1A.

However, the Farwell boys and both Bovina teams will not make it out of district play.

Melrose (15-5, 4-0) can clinched at least a tie for District 3-1A title with a win tonight at second-place Fort Sumner (14-7, 3-2).

Every other team in the district has at least three losses.

In New Mexico, the regular-season champion earns a bye into the district tournament championship game and a berth in regional play.

Top scorers of the week based on information provided to the CNJ.

Boys

25 — Dominique Easterlin, Clovis, vs. Carlsbad, Tuesday

24 — Jeremy Gauna, Fort Sumner, vs. Grady, Tuesday

22 — Tigg Bunton, Clovis, vs. Carlsbad, Tuesday

22 — John Propps, Clovis, vs. Moriarty, Saturday.

21 — Carlos Ruiz, Melrose and Gauna each scored 21 once.

Girls

23 — Brittany Blackmon, Clovis, vs. Carlsbad, Tuesday

18 — Brette Hadley, Texico, vs. Clayton, Saturday

18 — Tori Quintana, Clovis, vs. Carlsbad, Tuesday

17 — Lindsey Wood, Muleshoe, vs. Levelland, Friday

16 — Sandy Fortner, Fort Sumner, vs. Floyd, Saturday

CNJ sports writer John Eisel can be reached at 763-6991 ext. 322 or [email protected]