Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A boy's basketball: Monument Valley, Snowflake are victors

November 29, 2018 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs turned in a strong second half offensive showing to post a 69-56 victory over the Hopi Bruins in a freedom boy's game.

In a game played in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction, the Snowflake Lobos outgunned the Ganado Hornets, 62-47, including a potent 26-point second quarter shooting for a freedom boy's contest.

Monument Valley Mustangs 69, Hopi Bruins 56

Down by five points, 58-43, at the end of the third quarter, Kayenta Monument Valley rattled the cages for 26 points in the fourth quarter to post a 13-point victory.

First-year Kayenta Monument Valley head coach Jacob Nelson said the Mustangs played great team basketball during the game.

"We struggled on offense and defense for most of the night," Nelson said. "When it counted in the fourth quarter, the hard work they have been putting in paid off for them. Each player that traveled played and contributed to the team. All but one player scored in the game. This kind of balanced attack is needed, so that other teams can't focus their defenses on just one player. Hopi played very well. They were able to get a lot of hustle points against us."

Kayenta Monument Vally shot well in the first quarter, as the Mustangs held a two-point lead, 13-11. The Mustangs and Bruins played up tempo in the second quarter. The Bruins outscored the Mustangs, 19-16, thus taking a 30-29 halftime advantage.

The Bruins and Mustangs continued its hot shooting in the third period. The Bruins tallied 18 points to the Mustangs' 14 points. The Bruins extended its lead to five-points, 48-43.

The Mustangs stepped up offensively in the fourth quarter. Paced by Jackson Bia's eight points and Hunter Nez's seven points, the Mustangs scorched the cords for 26 points in the fourth stanza. Hopi managed eight points in the fatal fourth quarter.

Nez tallied 16 points to lead the Mustangs. Milekie Dunbar added nine points, while Bia and Marwyn Willie both tallied eight points in a winning effort for the Mustangs.

Hopi senior Jihad Nodman had a hot hand, pouring in 26 points. Adrian Sidney added 10 points for the Bruins.

Snowflake Lobos 62, Ganado Hornets 47

Outstanding shooting performance in the second quarter, propelled the Snowflake Lobos to a victory over the Ganado Hornets.

Ganado held a two-point lead, 12-10, at the end of the first quarter. Snowflake. The Lobos went on a scoring rampage in the second quarter, scorching the cords for 24 points. Ganado could net seven points. Snowflake took a 34-19 halftime advantage.

Ganado stormed back in the third period, canning 15 points to Snowflake's 10 markers. The Hornets sliced the Lobos' lead to 10 points, 44-34. The Lobos outscored the Hornets, 18-13, in the fourth stanza.

Lane Uentillie pumped in 11 points to pace Ganado. Andre Joseph added nine points and Wacey Benward tallied eight points for Ganado.

Ganado second-year head coach Norman Hubbell said the Hornets got off to a good start.

"We executed on offense and held our own on defense," Hubbell said. "When it came to the second quarter, Snowflake head coach Adam Wood, hit us with a half-court trap set that killed our guards. The boys played into the corners and Snowflake jumped on them. The Lobos forced five back-to-back turnovers, all which led to lay ups or free throws, due to fouls."