Daily Newspaper and Tourism Guide for Reeves County Trans Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

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Sports

Wednesday, November 26, 1997

Eagles boys survive rally; girls fall short

PECOS, Nov. 26 -- The Pecos Eagle boys saw a big lead wiped
out in the fourth quarter, but were able to hold on for a
victory Tuesday night in Kermit, while Pecos' girls wiped
out a big lead in the final period, but weren't able to pull
out their game against the Iraan Braves.

Pecos' girls climbed out of an 11-point hole to tie their
game at Iraan, only to see a 3-pointer by Brittany Lanehart
rally the Braves for a 58-55 victory.

The Eagle boys, meanwhile, jumped out to a big first
quarter lead and were up by 12 late, only to see the
Yellowjackets come back after Pecos lost post Omar Hinojos
to fouls. But the Eagles were able to connect late from the
foul line, and hold on for a 58-52 win, their third in four
tries this season.

"If we play like we did in the first quarter and the fourth
quarter more often, we shouldn't lose many games," said
coach Mike Sadler, whose team managed just 17 points in the
middle periods after taking a 25-12 lead during the first
quarter.

"Those little lulls right there, we've just got to keep
from having them later in the year in district. But that's
why they call this preseason," Sadler said.

He said Kermit rallied behind their 3-point shooting, and
unlike most years, didn't have a big size advantage over
Pecos inside. "They've just got a lot of quick little guards
who hustle and dive on the floor. They just played real
hard."

Hinojos left with about five minutes to play, after scoring
14 points, but the Eagles, who struggled early from the
line, were 6-for-9 in the final period, and Jacob Chavez
scored eight of his 12 points on the night in the quarter.

Oscar Luna also scored in double figures for Pecos,
finishing with 11 points. Robert Henderson led Kermit with
13, including a pair of 3-pointers that helped the Jackets'
comeback. The loss dropped Kermit to 1-2 on the season.

Pecos' girls gave up 35 first half points before coming
back to tie things at 49-all. But Eagles' coach Brian
Williams said, "We're still learning how to play in close
games."

"When that girl (Lanehart) hit that big 3 and they went
back ahead with about 1:45 left, our girls didn't seem to
understand the need to foul and put them on the line and
maybe get the ball back," he said. "They've got to realize
with 1:40 ad something left, we're still in the ballgame.
But I think when we learn how to win, people in town will be
excited about this team."

Williams said the regular officials didn't arrive until
halftime, and that hurt the Eagles, along with a number of
unforced turnovers.

Lori Marquez led Pecos with 14 points, while Penny
Armstrong had 12, Shea Lara 11 and Marisol Arenivas 10 for
the Eagles, who are 1-3 going into the Thanksgiving break.
Lanehart led all scorers with 19, and Landry Copeland had 15
for Iraan, who'll face Pecos again next Thursday morning, in
the first round of the Crane Tournament.

Iraan's junior varsity also won, as they beat the Eagles'
freshman squad, 55-19. Kermit's JV down the Eagles split
JV/freshman squad by a 61-46 final score.

Tuesday, boys
PECOS (58)
Garcia 2 0-0 4; Perea 1 0-0 2; Luna 3 5-9 11; Navarrette 4
1-3 9; Hinojos 6 1-2 14; Matta 0 0-0 0; Marquez 3 0-2 6;
Bryant 0 0-0 0; Chavez 3 4-6 12. Totals 22 11-22 58.

KERMIT (52)
Phillips 2 0-0 4; Palmer 1 0-0 2; Green 5 0-0 11; Henderson
5 3-3 15; Jamison 4 2-4 10; Leeson 2 0-0 4; Barta 0 0-0 0;
Garcia 0 2-2 2; Baker 1 2-4 4. Totals 37 9-14 87.

Pecos 25 10 7 16 -- 58
Kermit 14 14 9 15 -- 52

Three-point goals: Pecos 3 (Chavez 2, Hinojos), Kermit 3
(Henderson 2, Green). Fouled out: Pecos, Hinojos. Kermit,
Baker. Total fouls: Pecos 14, Kermit 23.

Tuesday, girls
PECOS (55)
Arenivas 3 2-2 10; Lara 5 1-3 11; A. Marquez 1 0-0 2;
Armstrong 4 4-4 12; Orona 0 0-0 0; L. Maruqez 4 6-6 14; Bell
0 0-0 0; Thorp 3 0-0 6. Totals 20 13-15 55.

IRAAN (58)
Simpson 3 0-2 6; Harvey 0 2-4 2; Holmes 2 0-0 4; Anderson 0
0-0 0; Copeland 7 1-2 15; Emery 1 0-0 2; Lanehart 7 2-3 19;
Warren 4 0-0 8; Villanueva 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 5-11 58.

Pecos 11 16 14 14 -- 55
Iraan 17 18 8 15 -- 58

Three-point goals: Pecos 2 (Arenivas 2), Iraan 3 (Lanehart
3). Fouled out: None. Total fouls: Pecos 15, Iraan 18.

Bears rout Eagles' JV in opener

By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
BALMORHEA, Nov. 26 -- Outside of a few problems with their
lay-ups in the first half, there wasn't much for Balmorhea
Bears' coach Adolfo Garcia to complain about Tuesday night,
as his team made his debut as varsity head coach a
successful one.

Balmorhea opened their 1997-98 season with an easy 87-26
victory over Pecos' split JV/freshman basketball team on the
Bears' home court.

"We were outmanned," said Eagles' coach Tino Acosta, who
said at halftime his main goal "was to just play everyone."

Balmorhea is going for its third straight district title,
and will be trying to improve on last season's bi-district
loss to Irion County. Most of the same players off that team
are back, and Garcia, who is taking over for long-time coach
Michael Barrandey this season, said he wants this year's
team to work the ball inside more.

"We're going to try more than ever to pass it down towards
the bottom and let our big guys handle it," said Garcia. "If
not, then we can pass it out. We've got guys who can hit the
3-pointer, but I want them to start playing as a team and
not as individuals."

The Bears controlled play against the Eagles inside, and
even with their lay-up problems early, were able to build a
15-0 lead before Pecos got on the board off a David Chavez
lay-up with 2:59 left in the opening period. Arturo Miranda
had half of his 12 points during that opening run, while
Manny Mendoza followed Chavez' basket with the first of his
two 3-pointers, as part of a game-high 18 point effort.

Both coaches substituted freely during the game, and
Balmorhea grabbed as much as a 29-point lead in the first
half, before back-to-back 3s by Adrian Tarin and A.T.
Gonzales made it 37-14 at the half.

Mendoza would score three straight times off steals during
the third period, and Kevin Castillo had seven of his 15
points during the quarter, as the Bears outscored the Eagles
30-7 and took a 67-21 lead. Garcia rested most of his
starters during the fourth quarter, and Acosta was able to
rotate all of his players in during the final eight minutes.

Along with Mendoza, Miranda and Castillo, Zane Rhyne also
was in double-digits for Balmorhea, scoring 10 points. Tarin
was the only Eagle in double-figures, as he also finished
with 10 points.

Garcia was happy with his team's 9-for-14 effort from the
foul line. "On free throws we did great, because that's what
got them last year in the playoffs," he said.

Balmorhea's next game will be on Dec. 2 against the
Valentine Pirates. "That will be our first real test,
because they've got a good team and will be pressing us, so
that's what we'll be working on," Garcia said.

PECOS JV/FRESHMEN (26)
Roberts 0 0-0 0; Tarin 4 0-0 10; S. Garcia 1 0-1 2; A.
Garcia 1 1-3 3; Munoz 1 0-0 2; Gonzales 1 0-0 3; Armstrong 0
0-0 0; Doggin 0 0-0 0; Terrazas 0 0-0 0; Chavez 2 0-0 4;
Ornelas 0 0-2 0; Machuca 0 0-0 0; Medrano 0 0-0 0; Trujillo
0 0-0 0; Lam 0 0-0 0; Florez 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 1-6 26.

BALMORHEA (87)
Miranda 6 0-0 12; M. Mendoza 7 2-3 18; Rodriguez 1 0-0 3;
Woodruff 4 0-0 8; Sanchez 0 0-0 0; J. Mendoza 1 0-0 3; D.
Mendoza 4 0-0 8; Scripps 0 0-0 0; Castillo 5 5-7 15; Roman
0-0 0; Rhyne 5 0-0 10; Cook 2 1-2 5; Natividad 2 1-2 5.
Totals 37 9-14 87.

Pecos 4 10 7 5 -- 26
Balmorhea 20 17 30 20 -- 87
Three-point goals: Pecos 3 (Tarin 2, Gonzales), Balmorhea 4
(M. Mendoza 2, Rodriguez, J. Mendoza). Fouled out: None.
Total fouls: Pecos 14, Balmorhea 14.

Balmorhea rallies to beat foul-plague Pecos

BALMORHEA, Nov. 26 -- The Balmorhea Bears were in a little
foul trouble and had a lot of trouble scoring in the first
half of their game against the Pecos Eagles' junior varsity
Tuesday night. But nothing like the scoring and foul
problems the Eagles had in the second half.

The Bears managed just nine first half points and saw
starter Amanda Lozano get into foul trouble, as the Eagles
took a 12-point halftime lead. But Pecos was whistled for 23
fouls in the second half, including two technicals, while
Bears' guard Brenda Dutchover sparked a 38-point outburst,
as Balmorhea rallied for a 47-33 victory.

It was the second win of the season for the Bears, who
routed Presidio's freshmen in their season opener, 62-17.
This one was a little harder due to their first half
mistakes.

"Once we quit turning the ball over, and took better care of
it, it was a different story," said Bears' coach Ennis
Erickson, who added that the fouls did play a factor.

"We had our fouls in the first half, and in the second half
was when Pecos had theirs," he said. "All of a sudden they
started calling fouls they hadn't called all game long."

"The second half killed us. We had a lot of turnovers, and
all those fouls," said Eagles' JV coach Veronica Valenzuela.
Four of Pecos' nine players fouled out, and early second
half foul problems by Lindsey Hathorn and Philonicus Fobbs
allowed Balmorhea to take control inside.

Katrina Quiroz' five first quarter points helped the Eagles
take the early lead, but the Bears began their comeback
after she was hit with a `T' for arguing a foul call early
in the third period. Dutchover hit a foul shot, and would
add three more baskets in the period, as the Bears cut the
lead to 25-21.

Pecos' foul problems meant most of the final period was
spent on the foul line. After a Dutchover jumper tied the
score at 29-all, Balmorhea went ahead to stay on an Amy
Garcia foul shot at the 4:14 mark. After that, it was senior
Cherry Garcia who did most of the scoring for Balmorhea,
scoring 10 points in the final 3½ minutes, while a steal and
lay-up by Dutchover with 1:52 to play ended the Eagles' last
comeback bid, after their had cut a 36-29 deficit to 36-33.

Garcia wound up going 10-for-17 from the line and had 16
points, while Dutchover had 13 for the Bears, who'll face
Valentine in their next game on Dec. 2. Marissa Levario
accounted for most of the Eagles' second half scoring and
finished with 11, while Quiroz had 10 points.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but they looked much
better than last night (a 65-39 loss to Alpine's JV). We
just need to learn to keep our composure," Valenzuela said.

The Eagles' next game is also Dec. 2, in Hobbs against their
New Mexico Eagle counterparts.

PECOS JV (33)
Pendelton 0 0-0 0; Payen 0 0-0 0; Salgado 0 0-1 0; Marquez 0
2-7 2; Gomez 0 0-0 0; Quiroz 5 0-1 10; Caballero 0 0-0 0;
Levario 5 1-3 11; Hathorn 2 0-0 4; Fobbs 3 0-1 6. Totals 15
3-13 33.

BALMORHEA (47)
Ca. Garcia 0 0-0 0; Dutchover 6 1-6 13; Rodriguez 0 0-0 0;
Apodaca 0 0-0 0; Lozano 3 0-0 6; Mondragon 0 2-3 2; Ch.
Garcia 3 10-17 16; Hernandez 0 2-5 2; Natividad 0 0-0 0; A.
Garcia 2 1-4 5; Carrasco 0 0-0 0; A. Arredondo 0 0-0 0; R.
Arredondo 1 1-1 3; Barrandey 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 17-36 47.

Pecos 11 10 4 8 -- 33
Balmorhea 5 4 12 26 -- 47
Three-point goals: None. Technical foul: Pecos, Quiroz,
bench (illegal substitution). Fouled out: Pecos, Fobbs,
Hathorn, Levario, Quiroz. Balmorhea, Lozano. Total fouls:
Pecos 28, Balmorhea 18.

Oilers' George may have Cowboys on run

By DENNE H. FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
IRVING, Texas, Nov. 26 -- The Dallas Cowboys' playoff hopes
could be severely damaged Thanksgiving Day by a 6-foot-3,
238-pound human wrecking ball named Eddie George.

The Tennessee Oilers took note of what Dorsey Levens and the
Green Bay Packers did last Sunday in a 45-17 whipping of the
Cowboys. Levens ran for 190 yards as the Packers pounded
Dallas into submission.

George, who has already rushed for 1,124 yards and six
touchdowns this season, will severely test the NFL's
18th-best team against the rush.

``We plan to run the ball and try to keep the other team's
offense off the field,'' said Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher.
``Eddie is the type of running back who gets stronger as the
game goes on, like Emmitt Smith. It's on the 25th carry of
the game and the 30th carry of the game where Eddie makes a
difference. That's why it's important that we stay in ball
games.''

Dallas coach Barry Switzer knows what's coming, and it wears
jersey No. 27.

``I worry about their tailback (George) because he's a great
runner, a heavy load, a slasher,'' said Switzer. ``Rushing
offense is their gig, their game. They're third in the
league.''

Both the Cowboys and Oilers are 6-6 and each team figures
another loss would just about finish their playoff chances.

``We probably have to run the table to make the playoffs,''
Fisher said. ``This is a big challenge for us, exciting for
our team. This is the first time this season we've been on
national TV with all the country to see.''

Three of the Oilers' victories this year have come against
NFC East teams. They beat Washington 28-14, Arizona 41-14
and the New York Giants 10-6.

``We try to be physical, run the football, and stop the
other guy from running it,'' Fisher said.

It's the third time the Cowboys and Oilers have played on
Thanksgiving Day in Texas Stadium, with Dallas 0-2. The
Oilers beat Dallas 30-24 in 1979, prompting coach Bum
Phillips' statement that, ``The Cowboys might be America's
team, but we're darn sure Texas' team.''

Dallas' other loss to the Oilers was 25-17 in 1988.

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair said the Oilers are
pumped for the game.

``Everybody loves to be playing on Thanksgiving Day,''
McNair said. ``We've got to settle down. Just because we're
on national TV we can't go in and let that take over.''

Smith said he'll have to have a good day against the Oilers
for the Cowboys to win.

``We've got to run the ball on them,'' he said. ``We've got
to reach down and handle the pressure and win the rest of
our games. ... It may be the most pressure we've been under
in a long time. It's hard to run the table.''

Dallas, a 7-point favorite, is 20-8-1 on Thanksgiving,
including victories in six of their last seven Turkey Day
games.

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