The Lockney Longhorns beat Post to become the 2021 Longhorn Shootout champions in December. (Courtesy Photo/Fred Cervantes)
LOCKNEY — The Lockney Longhorns (8-3) paid a price for its win over the Petersburg Buffaloes 49-42 on Friday in the Lockney Shootout by losing its two leading scores in seniors Austin Rodriguez and Josh Barreterro to ankle injuries. But, the Longhorns’ teammates stepped up in Saturday’s showdown with the Post Antelopes and the Horns prevailed 47-42 in a physical contest to win the Shootout Championship.
Junior guard Max Ramirez led the charge with a season-high 22 points including five 3s. Senior guard Chuy Gonzalez and junior post Jonathan Cienfuegos also responded in a big way with 11 and eight points respectively.
Lockney coach Kelan Verette was extremely proud of the Longhorns’ play in the Shootout. “These are hard working kids. They gave me all they got (in the two wins on Friday and Saturday). Adversity is tough to deal with, and they responded very well.”
Lockney utilized its team quickness and blocking out for rebounds to battle with the much larger Antelopes who were led by 6’7″ senior Zach Courtney and 6’4″ Isaiah Crawford with 11 and nine points respectively. Both are Division I college football commits — Courtney to Colorado in the PAC-12 and Crawford to Texas Tech in the Big 12.
The Longhorns ended up going 3-0 in the Shootout and are currently riding a six-game winning streak.
Friday and Saturday Results
Petersburg – 14 6 9 13 – 42
Lockney – 21 10 6 12 – 49
Halftime: Lockney 32-20
Records: Lockney (7-3), Petersburg (5-3)
Lockney scoring: Josh Barreterros – 14, Austin Rodriguez – 7, Chuy Gonzales – 6, Jonathan Cienfuegos – 6, Max Ramirez – 5, Andrew Bustillos – 5, Jisiah Lara – 2,
Felix Gonzales – 1
Post – 12 15 12 7 – 44
Lockney – 13 20 10 4 – 47
Halftime: Lockney 33- 27; 3rd quarter: Lockney 43-39
Records: Lockney (8-3), Post (3-6)
Lockney scoring: Max Ramirez – 22, Chuy Gonzales – 11, Jonathan Cienfuegos – 8, Jisiah Lara – 2,
Andrew Bustillos – 2, Felix Gonzales – 2
Post scoring: Zach Courtney – 11, Isaiah Crawford – 8, Jacob McLellan – 8
Next: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:15 p.m. vs. Farwell Steers at Longhorn Gym
Friday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. – rematch with Post Bold Gold at Antelope Gym
