WARRIOR CLASSIC: Offense in groove as Spartans double last season’s win total

Cimarron-Memorial’s only girls basketball victory last year came after the regular season had ended.

Two games into the 2010-11 season, the Spartans already have doubled last year’s total.

Thanks to a vastly improved offense, Cimarron began its season with two victories Friday in the Warrior Classic at Western. Cimarron defeated Las Vegas, 61-47, then beat the host Warriors, 66-32.

Cimarron earned a bye into the tournament quarterfinals and will face Desert Pines at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

“We had a year of struggling last year,” Cimarron coach Pat Thomas said. “But our younger players got experience. They’ve improved.”

The Spartans’ only victory in a 1-26 season last year resulted from a forfeit by Mojave one day after the season. Cimarron scored more than 40 points in a game only five times, with a season high of 47.

On Friday, good perimeter shooting opened up the inside game, and the Spartans were effective in transition in both games.

“We still need better fundamentals,” Thomas said. “This should give them confidence. I really hope this carries over for us.”

Traci Parks, a transfer from Mojave, scored 19 points and Ashley Oswald added 10 against Las Vegas as Cimarron pulled away with an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter.

Shauntovia Luckie scored 17 points for Las Vegas.

Against Western, the Spartans went on a 25-5 run in the final 9½ minutes of the first half to take a 42-16 lead and they cruised from there. Parks scored 25 points, all in the first three quarters.

“Adding Traci was big for our team,” Thomas said. “She makes a big difference.”

Mylasia Smith led Western with 11 points.

 

Las Vegas 58, Western 31 — Dareshoun Lee drained four 3-pointers and totaled 18 points, and the Wildcats held the Warriors scoreless for the first 18:31 of the game en route to the win.

Luckie added 15 points for Las Vegas.

Naz Lockett scored 12 points and Brittany Moreland 10 points for Western.

Las Vegas 58, Agassi Prep 19 — Luckie scored 11 of her 14 points in the first quarter, helping the Wildcats to an early 22-6 lead and an easy win over the Stars.

Shomari Harris added 12 points and Shaleea Butler 10 for Las Vegas.

Kayla Johnson’s six points led Agassi Prep.

Coronado 53, Durango 40 — Nicole Ruffino led all scorers with 16 points, and the Cougars closed the game on a 12-0 run to down the Trailblazers.

Sofie Cruz scored all of her 10 points in the first quarter for Coronado.

Jasmine Thomas paced Durango with 12 points.

Coronado 60, Agassi Prep 25 — Lia Herlosky and Katie Bittner each tallied eight points as 13 Cougars scored in a rout of the Stars.

Conway and LaBrishun Hardwick each scored six points for Agassi Prep.

Durango 82, Agassi Prep 29 — Yliana Mokusova paced a balanced attack with 14 points as the Trailblazers ran away from the Stars.

Tiarra Beville and Amanda Boucher each added 13 points, and Cindy Klinhom scored 11 for Durango.

Alanna Conway scored 12 points to lead Agassi Prep.

Durango 56, Western 46 — Beville led three scorers in double figures with 16 points as the Trailblazers built a 35-22 halftime lead and held off the Warriors.

Thomas added 14 points and Boucher 13 for Durango.

Lockett paced Western with 16 points, and teammate Brandi Jackson scored 11.

Desert Pines 58, Spring Valley 37 — Cydney Myles tallied 21 points, and the Jaguars scored the first 19 points on their way to a win over the Grizzlies.

TaQuiyyah Boyles added 16 points and Leslie White 14 for Desert Pines.

Jessica Stevens drained five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for Spring Valley.

Legacy 71, Desert Pines 27 — Latia Matthews poured in 16 points as the Longhorns blitzed the Jaguars.

Andrea Williams and Shakita Cox scored 10 points apiece for Legacy.

Kiana Alexander had nine points for Desert Pines.

Del Sol 71, Desert Pines 68 — Desiree Orozco tallied 23 points to help the Dragons outlast the Jaguars in overtime.

Boyles had 19 points, Myles 17 and Jazzimine Avalos 10 for Desert Pines, which finished the game with three players on the court because of foul trouble.

Legacy 63, Del Sol 20 — Ivionna Reece had 18 points, helping the Longhorns to leads of 38-12 at the half and 50-12 after three quarters in their win over the Dragons.

Cox added 11 points for Legacy.

Foothill 65, Spring Valley 15 — Bri Higgins outscored the Grizzlies, pouring in 16 points in the Falcons’ win.

Cheryl Harless added 14 points and Julie Harless 11 for Foothill, which led 33-5 at the half.