By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The 1-1 Luke Evans-coached Duncan Wildkats opened their 2018 campaign in New Mexico with a 16-57 loss to the Animas Panthers Nov. 21, and downed the Superior Panthers 37-20 in Duncan on Nov. 28.
Duncan visits the Willcox Cowgirls on Friday, Dec. 1, and hosts the Winkelman Hayden Lobos on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Photo By Raymundo Frasquillo: Duncan junior Katelin Stergion (4) and senior Keeley Wagley (11) make passing difficult for Superior’s Tatianna Babino (2). The fourth-period defensive action led to a home win. Stergion had 12 points, Wagley six, and Babino did not score.
Duncan – 37, Superior – 20
Junior Katelin Stergion made 3-4 free throws, and both junior Delanie Claridge and senior Payton Damron a field goal each to give the host Wildkats a 7-2 opening period edge over Superior.
Duncan went on to post a 22-13 halftime advantage and led 28-13 heading into the final period. A 9-7 fourth-period outing secured the win.
The Wildkats totaled 13 field goals plus 11-25 free throws compared to nine field goals plus 2-6 free throws by Superior.
Damron tallied a game-high 13 points on four field goals plus 5-13 free throws and Stergion 12 on four field goals plus 4-6 free throws. Senior Keeley Wagley added six points, freshman Melissa Claridge four, and Delanie Claridge two.
For Superior, Alex Sandoval had seven points, Hailey Neal four, Marie Estatico three, and DeAndrian Bogenshutz, Anisah Cardenas, and Angie Hing two apiece.
Animas – 57, Duncan – 16
Photo By Raymundo Frasquillo: Duncan senior Payton Damron made 4-13 free throws to total a team-high 13 points against Superior.
The Wildkats trailed by 30 points, 7-37, at halftime and by 38, 9-47, heading into the final period.
“We didn’t anticipate they would be real good shooters,” Evans said. “Nothing we tried seemed to help.”
Duncan made seven field goals plus 2-6 free throws versus 24 field goals plus 9-15 free throws by Animas.
Stergion totaled six points, Delanie Claridge five, Damron and Wagley two each, and sophomore Kaktys Garcia one.
The rest of the team includes are senior Natalie Jensen; junior Britni Avant; sophomores Morgan Billingsley, Alexis Peck, and Megan Van Sickle; and freshman Lauren Basteen.
For Animas, Tierney Washbum tossed in a game-high 24 points on nine field goals plus 6-7 free throws and Arianda Armendra 12 on six field goals. Cody Wright added nine points, Liz Mendoza six, Penee Duncan four, and both Joshlyn Eddy and Brenda Elias one apiece.
