Lady Rams turn back Monterey in first round

Staff report

LUBBOCK — The Portales Lady Rams got off to a solid start on Monday in the Lubbock Caprock Holiday tournament.

Junior Kambrey Blakey scored 20 points and senior McKenzie Bucksath added 15 points, a team-high eight rebounds and three steals as the Lady Rams dispatched Class 6A Lubbock Monterey 54-45.

PHS (6-1) will take on Burleson, Texas-based BRL Centennial, a 48-32 winner on Monday over Brownwood, in an 11 a.m. (MST) clash today.

Except for an early 2-0 deficit, the Lady Rams led the entire game. Their biggest lead was 30-17 late in the half, and Bucksath scored as time ran out in the period for a 32-21 advantage.

“McKenzie had a great all-around game today,” PHS coach Wade Fraze said.

The Lady Plainsmen went to work in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Rams 17-11 to pull to 43-38. They got within three points early in the final period before PHS salted it away by making 5-of-7 free throws down the stretch.

“The third quarter we just had a defensive letdown,” Fraze said. “They hit three 3s in that quarter.

“We knew they could shoot. We did a good job on them in the first half and we rebounded well in the first half, but not as well in the second.”

Shereya Cox and Bailey Schillings each contributed three assists for Portales, while Cox also had three steals.

Libby Sloan and Chelsea Hunter led the Lady Plainsmen with 12 points apiece. Monterey connected on five 3-pointers, including two by Sloan.