The Lockney Longhorns and Floydada Whirlwinds in action on Friday, January 28, 2022. (Ryan Crowe/FCR)
FLOYD COUNTY – The Floydada Whirlwinds and the Lockney Longhorns are ready for the next step of their seasons by playing in the Bi-District playoffs this Tuesday. The Whirlwinds (22-5) will tangle with the No. 15 state rated Farwell Steers (23-7) at Littlefield beginning at 6pm, while the Longhorns (15-11) will take on the Vega Longhorns (14-13) in Muleshoe with a 6:15pm tip-off.
Floydada’s lineup will be made up of three players with average scoring in the double-figures
including junior point guard Abran Castillo (21-ppg), freshman forward Braun Hobbs (13-ppg) and
junior guard Jayson Cooper (10-ppg). Two other starters are close to double-figure scoring with
sophomore forward Aiden Trevino (7.5-ppg) and freshman post Ty Henderson (8.5-ppg). Junior guard
Luis Gonzales has been one of the first substitutes in the game and scores approximately 6-ppg. Other players coming off the bench could include Saul Reyes, Oralando Ortiz, Hagen Hinsley and Brett Brittian to give quality minutes.
The Whirlwinds prefer an up-tempo game to utilize their speed and quickness. Floydada has
outscored their opponents by a 65-52 average margin this season. This is the fourth consecutive season that the Whirlwinds have produced 20-plus wins. The previous three seasons Floydada has advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
Farwell has had a winning tradition during the 13-year career of coach Shane Perkins. The Steers
have averaged 23-wins a season under Perkins making them a tough playoff opponent anytime.
Floydada played this past Saturday in the 23rd annual Randall Playoff Preview where they lost to the Springlake-Earth Wolverines (16-7) by a score of 75-65.
Lockney also seems to excel the most when their aggressive defense is causing havoc to their
opponents. The Longhorns are also equipped with speed. Senior guards Austin Rodriguez (16-ppg) and Josh Barretoro (15-ppg) have been key players this season on the Lockney team that averages 55-points a game . Rodriguez is a ‘slasher’ that is effective in penetrating to the basket and a very efficient free throw shooter when he draws fouls. Going to the line for
nearly 15-attempts in a game is not uncommon for Rodriguez. Barretoro can get on a roll with three point shooting from the arc and change a game in couple of possessions.
Junior post Jonathan Cienfuegos is the Longhorns tallest starter at 6’3”. Cienfuegos plays strong in the paint by scoring 10-ppg and is the team’s top rebounder. Junior guard Max Ramirez and senior
forward Jesus Gonzales both average close to 5-ppg to round out the starting llineup. Juniors Malaki Alvis (6’3” post) and forward Andrew Bustillos will more than likely be key players coming off of the bench.
Lockney has not played a game since concluding its regular season schedule last Tuesday.
DISTRICT 4-2A Boys Bi-District pairings
New Deal (24-5) vs Boys Ranch (6-15), Monday at Littlefield. 6pm
Floydada (22-5) vs Farwell (23-7), Tuesday at Littlefield. 6pm
Lockney (15-11) vs Vega (14-13), Tuesday at Muleshoe. 6:15pm
Hale Center (12-15) vs Olton (28-3, Tuesday at Plainview. 7:30pm
