Cibola tops YC in long-awaited girls basketball matchup

A long-awaited Cibola vs. Yuma Catholic girls basketball matchup finally happened Saturday in Brawley (Calif.), and the Raiders came away with a victory to strengthen their case as the best team in the city.

In the programs’ first meeting since 2006, Cibola won 34-27 in the championship game of the Brawley

Tournament. The Shamrocks started the game ice cold from the field, scoring just three points in the first quarter and falling behind 22-11 at halftime. They pulled to within 28-22 after three quarters, but a low-scoring fourth quarter kept the Raiders in front.

Myna Johnson (8 points, 4 rebounds) and Sierra Buck (7 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals) led the Raiders.

For YC, Veronica Saco had 11 points and three assists, while Kylie McCloud had six points.

Cibola finished the tournament 4-0, while YC went 3-1.

Earlier Saturday, the Raiders defeated Southwest (Calif.) 52-46. In that game,

Johnson had 19 points and five steals while Quinn Thompson — who was named MVP of the tournament — had nine points, six rebounds and five steals.

In the Shamrocks’ first game of the day Saturday, they beat Central (Calif.) 58-12. Saco (10 points, 5 assists, 5 steals), Taylor Walton (13 points) and Kylie Meerchaum (8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) led YC in that game.

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL Gila Ridge 84, Casa Grande 68

Jamison Kay had a big game with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Jordan Stevens (17 points, 16 rebounds) recorded a double-double, and CJ Wiggins chipped in 13 points as Gila Ridge finished the Southwest Rotary Classic with a 2-2 record.

JUCO MEN’S BASKETBALL AWC 76, Mesa 75

Gio Nelson made two free throws with 18 seconds left to give the Matadors the lead as they won their ninth game in a row.

Daniel Kiely (20 points), Cash Williams (18 points, 5 assists), Nelson (15 points) and Lawrence Long (12 points, 7 rebounds) all scored in double figures for AWC (10-2 overall, 4-0 ACCAC).