The Lockney Longhorns and Floydada Whirlwinds in action on Friday, January 28, 2022. (Ryan Crowe/FCR)
FLOYDADA – Some teams play their best when their backs are against the wall. That mindset describes the Lockney Longhorns after getting off to an 0-2 start in District 4-2A, battled back with two big wins this past week including a hard fought 67-64 victory over the Floydada Whirlwinds at Whirlwind Gym on Friday night.
Both teams were well aware of the importance of this game and played like it for four intense quarters. There was no quit in the effort by both squads which almost duplicated the girls game right before them.
Lockney (13-9, 2-2) won the first two quarters by three points each and held a 32-26 lead at halftime. Floydada made things interesting by reducing the deficit to five points to start the final stanza, but the Longhorns would holdoff the Whirlwinds comeback efforts thanks to some clutch free throw shooting by senior Austin Rodriguez by sinking 12 free shots for the game, including a 5-for-7 performance when the game was in jeopardy.
“It was a team effort. We believe in each other. We have a very unselfish team, and I am glad to help anyway I can,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez ended up being the games leading scorer with 28 points. Jonathan Cienfuegos produced a double-double of 18-points and 11-rebounds, while Josh Barretoro also scored 12 before leaving the game with an ankle injury.
Floydada (19-3, 2-2) had four players reach the double figures in scoring led by sophomore Aiden Trevino with 18, which included a solid performance at the charity stripe going 7-of-8. Freshman Braun Hobbs recorded a double-double of 17-points and 11-rebounds in a losing effort, while Ty Henderson scored 11-points and Abran Castillo contributed 11.
LOCKNEY – 17 15 17 18 – 67
FLOYDADA – 14 12 18 20 – 64
halftime: Lockney 32-26
third quarter: Lockney 49-44
records: Lockney (13-9, 2-2), Floydada (19-3, 2-2)
Lockney scoring:
Austin Rodriguez – 28
Jonathan Cienfuegos – 18
Josh Barretoro – 10
Jesus Gonzales – 4
Malaki Alvis – 4
Max Ramirez – 3
Floydada scoring:
Aiden Trevino – 18
Braun Hobbs – 17
Ty Henderson – 12
Abran Castillo – 11
Jayson Cooper – 6
Lockney rebounding:
Cienfuegos – 11
Alvis – 7
Rodriguez – 7
Gonzales – 4
Floydada rebounding:
Hobbs – 11
Henderson – 7
Cooper – 6
Trevino – 6
Castillo – 6
DISTRICT 4-2A Boys results (Friday, Jan. 28)
Lockney 67 Floydada 64
New Deal 65 Ralls 31
Hale Center – open
DISTRICT 4-2A Boys standings and season records
New Deal 19-5 4-0
Lockney 13-9 2-2
Floydada 19-3 2-2
Ralls 16-9 1-3
Hale Center 11-12 1-3
this concludes the first round of district play for the boys
DISTRICT 4-2A Boys schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 1
Floydada at New Deal
Ralls at Hale Center
Lockney – open
