Both the Portales boys and girls basketball teams faced Artesia on April 27, 2021. The boys played in Portales, and the girls played in Artesia. Tip off for both games were at 7 PM.

The boys’ game in Portales proved to be tough for the Rams. With only a couple dozen fans in attendance, the first half was a struggle for them. They ended half with a deficit of 15 points. The score was 37-22 in Artesia’s favor. After half, the Rams tried to rally, but with the Bulldogs adding on points also, the deficit was too hard to overcome. The final score was 68-54.

The girls’ game faired a bit better for Portales. With less than 20 fans in attendance in Artesia, the game started off with the Lady Bulldogs scoring first. Portales’ #11 Kylyie Paden quickly answered with a 2-point field goal. The Lady Rams got the ball right back from Artesia and Paden scored again, taking the lead. Artesia managed to tie it up again shortly after, but the Lady Rams, particularly Paden, went on a scoring streak, giving them a slight lead over the Lady Bulldogs.

Portales’ #23 Mattison Blakely sunk a beautiful 3 point basket, setting Portales ahead 11-7, and that set the precedent for the rest of the game. By the end of the first period, the Lady Rams were up 17-11.

In the beginning of the second period, Lady Ram #12, Teagan Faust, was fouled and tacked on a free throw point. Portales continued to keep the lead, and by halftime, the girls went into the locker rooms with a score of 32-20, setting the Lady Rams up for a successful 2nd half.

Artesia did manage to come within 5 points of the Lady Rams in the 3rd, but Portales managed to maintain the lead and keep scoring, including a nice free throw by #3 Taris Ripee. At the end of 3, Portales was still ahead.

Kylyie Paden continued her scoring successes in the 4th, along with her teammates, and the Lady Rams ended the game on top with a final score of 63-43. The win moved the girls forward to 8-1 this season. Their final game will be in Lovington on Friday, April 30 at 7 PM.

The boys’ loss put them at 2-6 for the season with one final game looming. They will face Lovington in Portales on Friday, April 30 at 7 PM.