KC, Shiprock, Navajo Pine reach final 4

In girls' state tournament action, Navajo Pine, Kirtland Central, Shiprock and Santa Fe Indian School are in the final four.

The Navajo Pine Lady Warriors surprised defending state champion Navajo Prep, defeating the Lady Eagles 70-40 on Tuesday.

"We wanted to play good defense to get the ball back and move the ball up court," Navajo Pine coach Derrith Watchman-Moore said. "This game is like any other game. We're good at pressing and we switched from zone to man-to-man."

The Lady Warriors set the pace leaving Navajo Prep trailing throughout the game.

Navajo Pine led after the first quarter, 15-8, the second, 32-18, the third, 45-26, and ended with the 30-point win.     

No. 3 Navajo Pine plays No. 2 Santa Rosa today at 8 a.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.

Shiprock

For the Shiprock Lady Chieftains, with playmaker Christina Yazzie out with a leg injury it seemed they might have some trouble with Piedra Vista. But their belief in themselves pulled the team through.

Shiprock coach Brady Rivers said having played Piedra Vista many times before it was no secret the game was going to be close.

"When you play a team and you beat them three times we told the girls they're going to be ready to play," Rivers said.

And the Lady Panthers were. The two teams shared the lead throughout the game but Shiprock led after the first quarter, 7-5, and the second, 17-15. PV took the lead at the end of the third, 29-28, and Shiprock held on for the 45-43 win.

Rivers said the previous meetings prepared the two teams.

"What I think a lot of people don't realize is when we played them a few weeks ago and we won by four, I think that close game actually helped us along," he said. "Even though we didn't play well Friday, the girls hung in there.

The No. 2 Lady Chieftains face No. 3 Roswell today at 9:45 a.m. in the Pit and Rivers said his team is ready.

"I think if we can continue to drive the ball, get good baskets, continue to play good defense, we'll give ourselves an opportunity to win," he said.

No. 1 Kirtland Central defeated No. 8 Del Norte, 44-32. The Lady Broncos play No. 4 Espanola Valley at 1:15 p.m. today at the Pit.

The No. 2 Santa Fe Indian School Lady Braves defeated No. 7 Hope Christian, 62-42, on Tuesday and move on to the semifinals against No. 6 Lovington at 11:30 a.m. at the Pit today.

Boys

On Wednesday, No. 7 Navajo Pine squared off with No. 3 Hagerman for a spot in the final four (score unavailable at press time). The winner of the game plays at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Pit.

The No. 8 Bloomfield Bobcats played No. 1 Hope Christian Wednesday, the winner of that game will advance to the final four on Friday at the Pit at 1:15 p.m. (score unavailable at press time)

The No. 10 Gallup Bengals met No. 2 Mayfield Wednesday (score unavailable at press time). The winner advances to the final four today at the Pit at 4:45 p.m.

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