FARMINGTON – The Kirtland Central High School girls basketball team ended its non-district portion of the season with a dominant 70-40 win over Piedra Vista Thursday night at the Jerry A Conner Fieldhouse.
Kirtland Central scored an incredible 28 points off turnovers and takeaways, paired with 10 successful 3-pointers by five different players, overwhelming Piedra Vista for majority of Thursday’s contest.
The Broncos finished with three players scoring in the double-digits with sophomore Elaina Clani leading the way with 16 points, junior Haylee Nocki with 13 and freshman Allyson Tsosie with 11.
“It’s kind of a blessing that we don’t just rely on one person. I don’t know who our leading scorer is and I’m glad I don’t know that,” Kirtland Central head coach Devon Manning said. “I thought our ball movement for the most part was pretty good tonight, and I think when we move the ball like that, we’re pretty hard to guard.”
Thursday night’s contest was an opportunity for Piedra Vista to finish its non-district schedule with a winning record and prove that it can contend with one of the state’s best programs.
The Panthers opened play with all the momentum, leading for the first five minutes of the period, utilizing the middle of the court with its posts to either go up for a layup or, kicking the ball back out to the wings for the 3-point shot.
With time expiring in the first period, Piedra Vista hit a stalemate in its scoring and all it took was a pair of 3-pointers from Clani and freshman Saige Sorrelhorse to give Kirtland Central the lead, a lead that would only get out of hand for the Panthers.
Kirtland Central continued to have success from the 3-point line in the second period, placing screens for its shooters to take uncontested shots, forcing Piedra Vista in a position to be perfect if it wanted any chance.
Unfortunately for the Panthers, Kirtland Central continued to score, pushing its lead further and out of reach.
Piedra Vista (8-8) will open its district schedule on the road Wednesday to take on Volcano Vista at 7 p.m.
Kirtland Central (14-2) will begin its district campaign Thursday at Shiprock at the Chieftain Pit at 7 p.m.
The Piedra Vista High School boys basketball team hit a couple of timely shots to hold off Miyamura 57-51 Friday night at Jerry A Conner Fieldhouse. Friday night’s win was the third straight victory for Piedra Vista, and the fourth time the Panthers have faced the Patriots this season.
The Panthers pulled away late in the first period after junior Darian Watson connected on a pair of 3-pointers, giving Piedra Vista a nine point lead heading into the second period.
Miyamura found its offensive footing in the second period, working the seams and backside of Piedra Vista’s diamond defense formation to connect on two-point field goals, finishing the period four of six from the two-point floor.
Through its persistence, Miyamura closed the gap after forcing the Panthers into its first turnover with Patriot senior Owain Belone turning the conversion into three points, cutting Piedra Vista’s lead down to two.
A stingy Piedra Vista team converted a pair of two-point field goals off the hands of juniors Kaleb Fraker and Juaquin Jojola to give itself a cushion heading into halftime.
Miyamura sophomore Jordan Cadman opened the second half with a 3-pointer to even the score, sending the scoreboard into a frenzy of lead changes as both teams exchanged points.
A total of five lead changes occurred in the third period, and as it had done in the second period, Piedra Vista separated itself in the final ticks of the clock via a pair of Watson free throws.
This time it was Piedra Vista sophomore Santiago Aranda that opened the fourth period with a 3-pointer to give the Panthers a safety blanket.
Miyamura stayed within striking distance, but Jojola connected on a timely 3-pointer from the left wing with 38 seconds left on the clock.
The Patriots had their chances in that timeframe after Piedra Vista committed three shooting fouls, but Miyamura was only able to convert one point from the six free throw attempts.
Watson led all Piedra Vista scorers with 17 points while Jojola finished the night with 11.
Miyamura (1-15) will open its district season at home Tuesday night against crosstown rival Gallup. Piedra Vista (7-9) will be thrown right into the fire for the start of its district campaign, drawing defending state champion Volcano Vista at home Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Jerry A Conner Fieldhouse.