WILDCATS TAKE DOWN MULES IN FIRST MEETING, 44-21

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  • MED-RANGE —Littlefield senior point guard, Jeremiah Salazar, pulls up for a mid-range jumper from the left side, during the first half of the Wildcats, 44-21, victory over the Muleshoe Mules at Wildcat Gym on Tuesday. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
    MED-RANGE —Littlefield senior point guard, Jeremiah Salazar, pulls up for a mid-range jumper from the left side, during the first half of the Wildcats, 44-21, victory over the Muleshoe Mules at Wildcat Gym on Tuesday. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
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The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity basketball team took down the Muleshoe Mules on Tuesday, 44-21, in their first meeting of the season at Wildcat Gym.

With the win, the Wildcats improve to 11-7 overall, 4-2 in district play.

Senior forward, Chris Brown, dropped in a put-back off of a miss by junior, Jordan Trevino, but on the other end, senior forward, Tyree Jones, was called for goaltending on a lay-up by Brennen Davis, making the score, 2-2. Trevino scored a put-back off of a miss by Jones, drawing an and-one foul on Irvin Tones. He converted the free throw, extending the lead to, 5-2.

With 3:47 remaining in the opening quarter, junior, Ethan Garcia, was fouled on a fast-break attempt by Jeremiah Barron. He converted both free throws to stretch the Littlefield lead to, 7-2. With 2:12 left to play in the quarter, Barron took a charge on senior guard, Jeremiah Salazar, but the Mules were unable to capitalize, as Brown was fouled on an attempt by Doc Gardner. He made one-of-two at the line, pushing their lead to, 8-2.

Jacob Reyes split a pair of free throws for the Mules after being fouled by junior forward, Ryan West, but in the closing seconds, Salazar dropped in a put-back off of a miss junior forward, Ty’Jae Chambers, making the score, 10-3, as the first quarter came to a close.

Brown dropped in a baby-hook shot off of the assist from Jones to open the second quarter, pushing their lead to, 12-3. Torres dropped in a floater from the left side for Muleshoe, trimming the lead to, 12-5.

Chambers scored a put-back off of a miss by Salazar and Trevino followed it up with a lay-up on the left side, extending their lead to, 16-5, with just under three minutes remaining in the half. Senior guard, Joseph Salinas, took a charge on Davis and the Wildcats took a time out with 2:07 left to play in the half.

Out of the break, Chambers grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a put-back and Jones followed it up with a lay-up off of the assist from Salazar, making the score, 20-5. Barron euro-stepped past Salazar for a lay-up in transition to end the scoring drought for Muleshoe, making the score, 20-7, going into the locker room at halftime.

Brown hit Garcia for a lay-up to open the second half and the Mules took a time out with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter, trailing the Wildcats, 22-7. Out of the break, Salazar used a euro-step to get to the basket for a lay-up on the left side and Jones followed it up with a lay-up off of the inbound pass from Trevino, pushing their lead to, 26-7.

With 3:23 left to play in the quarter, Jones hit Brown with a no-look pass for a lay-up, making the score, 28-7. Reyes buried a three from the top of the key, drawing an and-one foul on Brown. He missed the free throw, but Davis was there for the offensive rebound, as the Mules took a time out with 2:52 remaining in the quarter.

Out of the break, Littlefield dropped in a bucket, but with under one minute remaining in the quarter, Tones drove to the basket for a lay-up, drawing an andone foul on Trevino, who picked up his fourth foul of the game. He missed the free throw, but got his own rebound and dropped it in for a lay-up drawing another andone foul, this time on Garcia. The Mules were called for a lane violation on the free throw, leaving the score, 30-14.

Chambers dropped in a lay-up off of a miss by Salazar, but Ciseneros drained a three from the left corner off of the assist from Barron to close out the third quarter with the Wildcats in front, 32-17.

Jones opened the fourth quarter with a lay-up and followed it up with a slam dunk off of the allyoop pass from Salazar, making the score, 36-17. Littlefield took a time out with 5:47 remaining and out of the break, Brown dropped in a lay-up off of the assist from Garcia, making the score, 38-17.

With 4:12 left to play in the game, Jones dropped in a lay-up, pushing their lead to, 40-17. the Wildcats took a time out with 2:28 remaining and out of the break, junior, Jaron Cabello, dropped in a floater from the left side, stretch-ing the lead to, 42-17.

After a Muleshoe time out, Littlefield knocked down a jumper from the left side, but Zach Hasley scored a put-back off of a missed free throw, as the Wildcats took down the Mules, 44-21.

Brown led the way for the Wildcats with 11 points, and he was joined in double-figures scoring by Jones, who finished with 10 points. Trevino tallied seven points, while Chambers chipped in six points.

Salazar and Garcia each fmished with four points, while Cabello added two points in the contest.

The Wildcats will return to action on Tuesday with a home game against the Dimmitt Bobcats for their second meeting of the season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.