Retooled Lady Longhorns dominate season opener

The seeds of Dover’s return to respectability were planted several years ago and showed signs of sprouting during last year’s playoff run.

They look to go full bloom this season.

The Lady Longhorns certainly looked the part in their season opener Tuesday as they blasted Cimarron 72-21 at home.

“Our speed and quickness overwhelmed them,” coach Brett Pitts said.

“Plus our girls are starting to gain more confidence in themselves.”

Dover won just one game before last year’s Christmas break and lost 41-28 to the Lady Blazers a year ago.

This time around, Dover overwhelmed its guests from the start.

Rylee Buck’s free throws with 1:33 to play in the first quarter capped a 15-0 run to give her team a 17-2 lead.

Dover never looked back.

The advantage was 20-4 after a quarter and 45-9 at the half.

Buck is just one of the new faces for Dover.

The freshman scored all seven of her points in the first half.

Also new is her classmate, Joi Caldwell, who led all scorers with 17 points.

Caldwell benefited from Dover’s press, which helped force 37 total turnovers.

Dover scored 38 points off those turnovers, but Caldwell also did her damage driving to the bucket.

Those driving lanes were opened up by 11 3-pointers by the Lady Longhorns.

Karlee McNulty nailed four of them, including three in the second quarter, to score all 12 of her points. Kamree McNulty also knocked down a shot from beyond the arc.

The senior twins weren’t deemed eligible for Dover until last year’s playoffs and gave Dover a big boost during that run.

Katelyn Harviston and Karlee Harviston started all season for Dover as freshmen last year.

They combined for 19 points and three 3-pointers.

Katelyn Harviston scored 14 of those points.

Ashley Gamez and Yareli Obeso scored six apiece.