Warren Younger
ASU Student Journalist

Dobson wins defensive gridlock against Westwood, 40-34

January 24, 2018 by Warren Younger, Arizona State University


In a game that saw 11 different lead changes, Amaya Leon made the most important one.

The Dobson captain hit a clutch three-pointer with three minutes left to spark Dobson to a 40-34 victory over Westwood Tuesday.

Dobson (13-9, 5-2) is now 14-0 against the Warriors (13-8, 4-3) since 2004.

“We needed Amaya (Leon) to have a good game tonight,” coach Henry Bribiescas said. “She brings that experience and leadership that we need in order to win.”

It was better late than never for Leon to takeover the game. Leon scored seven of her 14 points in the final three minutes.

When asked if she was feeling any pressure in the closing minutes, Leon shrugged it off.

“I've been given this role since my sophomore year,” Leon said. “I carry that pressure on my shoulders and I am used to it.”

Leon also saidt her team never felt the pressure either.

“We are always on the same page,” Leon said.“ We all know how we play and we have that bond.”

The Dobson bench constantly cheered on its players even when it wasdown late in the fourth. Leon said they feed off each other.

“Our bench is always jumping up and down on the floor getting us hype and that gives us the push we need to keep going.”

Freshman point guard Jaden Leslie had a breakout game last week against Skyline with 30 points.She only scored five Tuesday. “They closed off the inside for me and played a faceguard defense,” Leslie said. “Skyline played more relaxed and let me take shots.”

When asked if tonight's game was a frustrating turn of events, she replied  “I am used to it.”

Dobson is locked into a play-in seed. Asked about the biggest hurdle the team is facing as it head towards the playoffs, Bribiescas said, “We have a tough time executing but when we do we get easy buckets. We just have to get (the players) to believe that.”

The last time these two rivals played each other, the game was close through three quarters until Dobson blew Westwood out in the fourth and won 56-35. “We had a really good game with them last time,” Bribiescas said. “The scoreboard isn't indicative of what happened in that game.”

Dobson looks to close out its regular season on a high note when it plays Mountain View Friday.