Tigers lose pair of games during Christmas break

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

Head Coach Stacy Godfrey could sum up the Tiger basketball team’s struggles in one sentence.

“Right now we are struggling to put four quarters of play together and able to finish a game the way we start,” he said.

The Tigers lost their game to Lubbock Christian 76-61 Dec. 29, then again lost a District game 28-39 against the Roosevelt Eagles Saturday (Jan. 2).

Godfrey said the team’s play reflects in the scores. “We play very good first half of a ball game, but the second half, we come and struggle and miss shots that we would normally make,” he said.

Player issues factor in, such as COVID or other reasons. “Right now we have seven players on Varsity and that plays a toll on us when teams play fast and they are able to sub two to three players at a time,” he said.

“Our game plan is to slow down and make teams play at our speed. Once we learn to control the tempo and play all four quarters, we are going to win some big games.”

In the game against Lubbock Christian, lead scorer was Braeden Gibbs with 20 points.

Other scorers were Hudson Sackett and Treven Baker with 14 each, Ayden Ramirez with six points, Evan Lopez with four points, Camryn Nalley with two and Travazien Samuels with 1.

During the Roosevelt game, Gibbs scored 11 points on the night, Sackett had eight, Ramirez had seven and Baker had two.

Godfrey said playing a non-District game over the winter break provided some benefits for the team. This is especially as District starts ramping up full force.

“Our team’s effort good, we got to do a lot more of teamwork and getting up and down the floor during practice, if we are gonna be able to put four quarters together in a ball game,” he said.

“It’s good to play any game weather its non or District. With this year everyone lost games, so we just play every game like it’s a District game.”

The team played Tulia Tuesday evening (Jan. 5) at home and will play Childress Friday (Jan. 8) away.

Slaton is in a slightly different District for the basketball season.

“Tulia is gonna be another game where we are gonna have to play all four quarters, we will face another 2-3 zone defense and they will be very discipline,” said Godfrey.

Scores from both games will be published in next week’s edition.

In other news, Roosevelt, Southland and Wilson were set to resume games this week. Results of those games will be published as they are received.