Chiefs finish 2-8 in district

Coach Ky Graham knew when the season started his young Chieftain squad would meet some tough competition. The Chiefs returned just one player, junior Matthew Stanberry, from last year’s district champion team.
The UIL realignment brought some top new competition, Childress and Floydada, into the district. “Our boys gained a lot of experience against some good teams this year,” Graham said. “With graduation of many of the top players in our district, we should be a contender next year since we return almost all of our starters.”
The Chiefs closed out the season with on the road losses to Floydada and Tulia. Friday the Chiefs lost to state tournament contender Floydada 85-51. The Whirlwinds were 15 of 21 from the free throw line while Friona was 5 of 8.
Stanberry led scoring with 13 points, David Schwab 10, Justin Dominguez 8, Joey Dickson 6, Caleb Monroe 5, Ernesto Monreal 4, Nick Ortiz 3, and Stetson Reed 2.
The final game came at Tulia Tuesday. The Chiefs beat the Hornets earlier in the year. Going into the final game, the Chifs were 2-7 while Tulia was 1-8. A win by the Chiefs would leave Tulia alone in last place.
But the Hornets were out for revenge as they had a brief 30-point lead late in the game. A 28-point fourth quarter by the Chiefs, including five 3s, brought the Chiefs back within 10. Final score was Tulia 71, Friona 61.
Stanberry led scoring with 16 points. Others were Dickson 10, Ortiz 9, Reed 7, Monroe 7, Rolando Castanon 6, Monreal 3, Dominguez 2, and Justin Echevarria 1. The losses give the Chiefs and Tulia 2-8 district records.