Battle of the Drum part three at the state tournament
The girls basketball teams for Whitehorse and Monument Valley are set for a third Battle of the Drum at the 1A state basketball tournament. The lady Raiders and Cougars will battle for a spot in the 5th place game at the tournament after both suffered losses in the quarterfinals.
Redrock 92.7 FM will be broadcasting audio of Friday’s game set to tip at 11:30 am.
WHITEHORSE GIRLS
The #5 seed Whitehorse girls basketball team were defeated by the #4 seed Wayne Badgers in the quarterfinals of the 1A girls state basketball tournament. The Raiders built a 9-4 lead after one quarter but the Badgers cut the lead to two points with Whitehorse 19-17 at halftime. The Raiders held on to a lead 28-27 after three quarters and but ultimately fell to Wayne 47-36.
The game was tight back and forth with the score tied five times and seven lead changes with Wayne pulling away at the end.
The Raiders were led in the game by senior Heidi Clark who finished with 11 points, teammates Hannah Clark and Keiarra Martin each had 10 points while Lamyia Benally had three and Kayla Mitchell scored two.
In unofficial statistics the Raiders shot 31.3-percent from the field, holding Wayne to 28.6-percent from the field.
The lady Raiders were outrebounded 41-18 with Benally leading the way with five boards for Whitehorse.
The Raiders play the Cougars Friday morning at 11:30 am for a spot in the 5th place game at the tournament which will be at 10:00 am on Saturday.
MONUMENT VALLEY GIRLS
The #8 Monument Valley Lady Cougar basketball team were beat by the #1 seeded Rich Rebels in the quarter final of the 1A girls state basketball tournament.
The lady Cougars trailed 15-4 after one period and 26-14 at halftime. The second half favored the Rebels who ultimately won 52-27.
Monument Valley was led in scoring by Dakotah Cly with eight points while Taylor Stanley scored seven. Kaylisa Tome had four, while Shikeeya Hudson had three. Shilah Williams and Ayainna Cly each had two while Malaya Blackmountain scored one.
The Cougars shot 26.3-percent from the field while the Rebels shot 44.2-percent from the field. The Rebels outboarded the Cougars 32-12. Shikeeya Hudson, Dakotah Cly and Ayainna Cly each had three rebounds for Monument Valley. Blackmountain had four steals in the game.
The Cougars play the Raiders Friday morning at 11:30 am for a spot in the 5th place game at the tournament which will be at 10:00 am on Saturday.
WHITEHORSE BOYS
The #12 seeded Whitehorse boys basketball team was defeated by #13 seed Manila in consolation play at the 1A boys state basketball tournament.
Manila built a 14-8 lead after one quarter extended to 25-19 at halftime. The Mustangs held a lead 43-31 after three quarters with the final score favoring Manila 60-48.
Whitehorse was led by Hyatt Thomas who finished with 16 points while Adam Joe had 15. Kalin Tohonnie scored 19 while Dominic Dance had four and Tristan Black had three.
The game was the last for seniors Riley Begay, Kaleb Joe, Dominic Dance and Kalin Tohonnie. Reflecting after the game Dance said the Manila game was one of his favorites.
“I played my heart out. I didn’t get many points but I got everyone involved.”
Dance finished averaging 11 points a game in his senior season. Dance gave a shoutout to Hyatt Thomas the freshman led the Raiders in scoring averaging 15 points a game.
Dance also had praise for senior Kalin Tohonnie.
“He really stepped up this year, knocking down the three ball when we needed them.”
Tohonnie himself shared he’s enjoyed working to get better over the past four years.
“It’s been a journey. A lot of ups and downs and you’ve got to learn from mistakes, make progress along the journey.”
Tohonnie’s favorite game was his career high 21 points against Monument Valley.
Dance gave a shoutout to his mom over the years.
“She’s always down to get me in the gym, in the court. Follow me wherever basketball takes me and just down to go with me forever.”
Whitehorse boys interview:
https://www.youtube.com/live/OBx9lzwiKaU?si=qhuIssueLMpvNajJ
MONTICELLO GIRLS
The #16 seeded Monticello girls basketball team were defeated by the #9 seed Piute Thunderbirds in the consolation bracket of the 1A girls state basketball tournament.
Piute built a 36-5 halftime lead beating Monticello 54-12.
Monticello was led in the game by Maron Freestone who finished with six points.
Mechaiyah Lansing and Shaydin Freestone each had two points while Braylee Freestone and Samantha McDonald had one point each.
Speaking after the game senior Mechiayah Lansing reflected on making the state tournament as a team.
“This means a lot. We’ve been told there’s not many opportunities and not more presented after this for us to come and play for our last game.”
Senior teammate Braylee Freestone also was excited to play in the tournament for her senior season. Freestone also reflected on her connection with Lansing.
“End of junior year and senior year you have things figured out and have that connection. I know where she’s at on the court at all times. I know when she’s coming to screen for me.”
Lansing shared it’s been fun to play with her senior teammate.
“We’ve just got it down, we’ve had a lot of fun. It’s genuinely a blessing.”
Reflecting on their careers Freestone’s favorite game was their home overtime win against Dolores, after she made a layup in overtime and the crowd erupted.
Monticello girls interview:
https://www.youtube.com/live/_kqjCMWeL4I?si=OAe4GYbZ-ZTCo_tx&t=7910
MONTICELLO BOYS
The #8 seeded Monticello boys basketball team was defeated by #17 seed Altamont Longhorns 49-47 in the consolation of the 1A boys state basketball tournament. Altamont built a 13-9 lead and held a 23-22 lead at halftime. The Longhorns led 35-32 after three and while the Bucks took leads in the fourth quarter Altamont pulled away for the win.
Monticello was led by Kaden Pehrson who finished with 19 points. Cache Young scored 11 while Jackson Keyes had eight, Traken Lee six and Kooper Nielson three.
Without video rights Redrock 92.7 FM and redrock92.com will be providing only audio broadcasts at the state tournament.