Criminals boys hoops holds off Kofa in rivalry game
The Yuma High boys basketball team prevailed Thursday night to beat Kofa 54-51 to win its third game of the season.
However, the Criminals (3-6 AIA) almost handed the game to the Kings (1-9). Leading by 10 with under three minutes remaining, Kofa was able to slash away the deficit and cut the game to two points.
But despite Alfredo Carajbal’s game-high 23 points, the Kings fell short.
“We had to hold on,” Yuma High head coach Curt Weber said. “We hadn’t been in that situation and we have to learn.”
The Criminals were unable to put the game away as the offense continued to shoot late.
“It is what it is,” Weber said. “Coaching is teaching and we have to move on. We don’t have time to work on anything as we play two more times the next two nights.”
Nathan Villalobos led the Criminals with 21 points while Connor Franklin added 14.
Girls basketball Cibola 56, Maricopa 24
The 13th ranked Raiders were led by Rori Hoffmeyer’s nine points, six rebounds and two blocks Thursday night on the road.
Myna Johnson added eight points, eight assists and six rebounds, while Sierra Bomhower tallied nine points and Ariana Luera and Sierra Buck each had eight apiece.
Cibola has won straight games. four
Yuma High 64, Kofa 19
Things are trending in the right direction for the Criminals under head coach Shawn Jones. After snapping a 69-game losing streak earlier in the year, Yuma High is beginning to find its stride and has won four of its last five games.
Kamariah Hawkins led the way with 29 points and 20 rebounds.
Boys soccer
Kofa 4, Mtn Pointe 4 (OT)
Tiernan Nicewander began the game with a goal off an assist from Angel Saldana. Nolan Garcia would net another Kofa goal and the game was tied two apiece at half.
Nicewander would find the back of the net again to put the Kings up 3-2 in the early stages of the second half.
In overtime, Aaron Alvarez delivered a goal off a deflection, but Mountain Pointe responded with three minutes left in overtime to force the tie.
JUCO baseball
AWC 13, Community Christian 0
It’s the sixth straight victory for the Matadors by run-rule dating back to their double-header sweep over Community Christian to open the season.
The Matadors scored in
between the white shirts of St. John Paul, he seemed to magically escape the frenzy of defenders draped over him and find the back of the net with his incredible footwork.
“(His footwork) is second to none,” Evans said. “And he’s got speed. He’s not a very big kid, but when he’s on the field, he’s 10-feet tall and bulletproof. I think that’s just pure confidence in himself. He’s got such
great ball control.”
Despite Quintero leading all of 3A with 16 goals (tied for 2nd in the state), the Shamrocks aren’t solely reliant on Quintero’s foot.
Saul Martinez scored the game’s third goal. The senior found himself isolated in the middle of the box before lacing a screaming kick past Encinas.
Later in the game, Alexis Hernandez collected himself after receiving the ball off a ricochet and knocked one through the two goal posts.
Izayah Rooks delivered
a goal of his own as well. In Rooks’ second year ever playing soccer, he’s established himself as one of the leading scorers on the Shamrocks’ team.
“He’s a senior, but just his second year playing for us,” Evans said. “Last year, he came to me and said he wanted to play soccer and I wish I had him for all four years. It’s so amazing to see that kid’s growth.”
The offense wasn’t the only unit playing outstanding ball Thursday night at Ricky Gwynn Stadium. The Shamrocks’ defense
shut down essentially any Lions attack.
YC controlled possession for every minute in the first half thanks to its defense quickly regaining control and pushing the ball down the field.
Anchoring the middle of the defense is junior Christian Perez, who had to sit the first six games of the season.
“He’s really solidified our midfield,” Evans said. “He’s really a commanding presence and controls the midfield. Before him, we didn’t really have that and
it cost us and slowed down our momentum. Since he’s been playing, he’s been really dominant back there.”
Since dropping their season opener against American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North, the Shamrocks are on an eight-game winning streak and have outscored their opponents 47-11.
Evans says his team, which is mixed with seniors and underclassmen, didn’t have any chemistry at the beginning of the season, but as the year progressed, he’s noticed
tremendous strides in his team’s performances.
“It was just horrible to watch,” Evans said about the season-opening loss. “I was expecting so much and thought, ‘I don’t know if it’s going to happen’...and it’s just progressively gotten better as we create more chemistry.”
YC will hit the road Monday to face 6A Hamilton to try and extend their winning streak to nine.