Whitehorse girls beat Monticello in 1A Region 23 contest on the road

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello and Whitehorse girls basketball teams faced off in region play on January 13 in Monticello. The lady Raiders earned a 62-34 victory to improve to 2-0 in region play.
The Raiders were led in scoring by Lamyia Benally who finished with 15 points, with teammate Shunbaah Begay scoring 14 points on the game. Shayla Miller and Kiera Chee each scored 10 points on the game while Harmony Thomas had six and Heidi Clark added five points.
The lady Buckaroos were led in scoring on the game by Jemma Robison who finished with a game-high 17 points. Avery Shumway added eight points for Monticello while Kenlee Atwood scored four points. Kahryme Alvarado and Kaymee Freestone each scored two while Rosy Beh had one.
Speaking after the game Shunbaah Begay said she’s learned a lot stepping up as a guard for the lady raiders this year, along with her teammates. “We’re looking forward to progressing with our team.”
Coach Joni Dickson shared praise in her postgame for freshman Kiera Chee, “She’s going to be a force to be reckoned with she has to get strong and gain that confidence but we’re trying to give her that varsity experience.“
Dickson had high praise for the whole team. “Our gameplan at the beginning was to go out there with the attitude that you want the ball. You’re going to get it on defense, create an opportunity for it on offense. If you’re hungry for that win go show it.”
Dickson says the team is excited to get into region play. “We’re stepping up our game we’re working harder, trying to perfect the details and the techniques. These teams really help us work towards that goal because they give us a good hard-fought game, we can’t learn hard work unless someone demands it from us.”
Whitehorse hosts Pinnacle Academy on Friday January 20.
The Monticello girls basketball team played one other game in the week. A region loss to Green River 63-44. The lady Bucks were led in scoring by Nikki Gomez and Kenlee Atwood who each scored 11 points on the game. Robison ended the game with nine points while Beh had eight. Jesse Gomez and Mechiayah Lansing each scored two points on the game.
Monticello played San Juan after the San Juan Record print deadline on January 17. Monticello travels to Monument Valley on Friday, January 20. The lady Bucks then host Dove Creek on Tuesday, January 24. You can catch both games on 92.7 FM and PictureItPalmer.com.