Portales defense keys easy win over Hot Springs

The Portales Rams started off the Class 4A state tournament a bit sluggish offensively. But tefense was on point from start to finish as it led them to a 63-22 win over Hot Springs Friday night at the Ram Athletic Center.

Kambrey Blakey had 15 points and eight steals for top-seeded Portales (21-6), which moves on to an 8 a.m. Tuesday quarterfinal against West Las Vegas at The Pit in Albuquerque. The ninth-seeded Lady Dons beat Taos 48-31 on the road Friday night.

link Staff photo: Derek Major

Portales coach Wade Fraze discusses strategy with his team during a timeout in Friday’s Class 4A first-round game at the Ram Athletic Center.

Portales struggled hitting shots, but held the 16th-seeded Tigers without a first-half basket, and just three on the night.

Already armed with a 35-10 halftime lead, senior guard Brooke Lopez took over on offense, scoring 11 of her 13 points in the stanza. Sheraya Cox added a layup off a steal, and the Rams forced five turnovers in the third while allowing just five points to Hot Springs (9-15).

Portales struggled from its offensive sets, but got enough offense from turnovers for it not to matter.

“We took a lot of quick threes early because of their sagging zone defense,” Portales coach Wade Fraze said. “We also shot terrible from the free-throw line and that led to the Tigers getting good defensive rebound and going the other way, It wasn’t our best game offensively.”

“The defensive effort was good, one thing that I tell the girls is that shots can go in one night and not the next.” Fraze said. “But defense and rebounding should be there every night because it’s about being in position and (having) heart.”

Sheraya Cox had four assists and two points for Portales. Baylee Henderson led the Tigers with eight points.