Lady Broncos bounce back with decisive win over Sand Devils
Special to the Times | Lee Begaye
Kirtland Central sophomore Zoey Benally navigates her way through a Page defender during the KC’s 57-11 win over Page at Kirtland Central High School.
By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times
KIRTLAND, N.M. – The highly anticipated clash between last year’s New Mexico 4A state champion Kirtland Central Lady Broncos and Arizona 3A state champion Page Lady Sand Devils never materialized.
The second-ranked Broncos bounced back from an 83-49 loss to Class 5A’s top-ranked Hobbs High in the finals of the APS Metro Girls Basketball Tournament over the weekend in Albuquerque.
Special to the Times | Lee Begaye
Kirtland Central junior Haylee Nocki (5) attempts a 3-point shot against the Page Lady Sand Devils on Tuesday night. KC won 57-11.
In Tuesday’s game, KC delivered a dominant performance, overwhelming Page in a nondistrict game that fizzled early.
The Sand Devils traveled 216 miles across the Navajo Nation to face the Broncos, only to encounter a stifling full-court press that held them to just three points in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Broncos encountered little resistance, racking up 29 points in the second quarter. Junior center Krista Tsingine-Yazzie led the charge with 16 points, leaving the Sand Devils searching for answers.
The Broncos set the tone in the first quarter, with contributions from four players: sophomore forward Elaina Clani, junior guard Haylee Nocki, sophomore forward Akeelah Joe, and Tsingine-Yazzie.
The Sand Devils managed only a single point, courtesy of senior guard LeLaura Yazzie, who went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line with 4:50 remaining.
The end of the quarter had Kirtland Central leading 8-1.
In the second quarter, the Broncos broke the game wide open, pouring in 29 points. Tsingine-Yazzie added 11 points, Nocki contributed 10, while Clani and junior Kaylyn Cadman each chipped in four.
For Page, LeLaura Yazzie was the lone scorer with a two-point basket at the 5:12 mark. The Broncos entered halftime with a commanding 37-3 advantage.
The third quarter saw six different Broncos contribute to a 16-point effort headed by the five points turned in by Cadman with KC firmly in control, leading 53-11.
The Sand Devils showed a spark with eight points, six of which came from freshman guard Sarah Dodson.
The game concluded with a running clock in the fourth quarter as KC outscored Page 4-0.
The Broncos will next travel to Piedra Vista on Thursday for a non-regional contest. Meanwhile, Page will face the Lady Hornets in Ganado on Friday as they continue 3A North regional play.
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