Defensive effort propels Newcomb boys to first-round win

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Feb 27, 2024 | Basketball |

NEWCOMB, N.M.

It took five minutes for the Newcomb boys basketball team to find a rhythm.

And once it did, the Skyhawks (15-11) blew past Crownpoint (3-24) in the opening round of the District 1-3A tournament on Monday night.

“I can’t say enough about these guys,” first-year Newcomb coach Patrick Boone said following his team’s 82-44 win. “It’s been a long process, but these guys have bought into the system and we’re slowly building into the way I like for us to play.

“We’re running, playing defense and pushing that ball,” he added. “We really rely on our defense to get us going.”

The Skyhawks earned the No. 4 seed for the tournament and advanced into tonight’s second round to face No. 3 seed Thoreau at 6 p.m. Earlier this season Newcomb split the season series with the Hawks, winning the first meeting, 74-59, on Jan. 16. In the second encounter, Thoreau exacted some revenge by pulling out a 57-55 win on Feb. 6.

“It’s going to be a tough one,” Boone said of the showdown with Thoreau. “The last time we played them we were down 15 (points) and then we decided to play to play in the last three minutes.

“We caught back up and we had a chance to win the game, but we missed an open three,” he added.

In Monday’s other tournament game, No. 6 Wingate pulled out a minor upset over No. 4 Zuni with a 44-41 road win. The Bears will play at No. 2 Tohatchi at 6 p.m. tonight.

The second round winners will play on Wednesday night with the survivor to face top-seeded Navajo Prep on Friday night at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington at 6 p.m.

“This district is tough,” Boone said. “If we get by Thoreau, we’ll either have Tohatchi or Wingate in the next round. Then on Friday, the team that’s still playing will take on the big dog in our district, Navajo Prep.

“They’re awesome,” he added. “They’re still playing at a high level. They set the bar high and we’re all trying to get to that level.”

In Monday’s game, Newcomb cashed in on several Crownpoint turnovers in its runaway win.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Crownpoint Eagle Calliou Temple (21) eyes the basket while being guarded by Newcomb’s Zakkius Negale Monday night.

“I think we did great defensively,” Newcomb senior guard Roydell Edison said. “Our offense comes off our defense and we forced a lot of turnovers.”

The Newcomb guard led all-scorers as he put in 15 of his game-best 27 points in the third quarter.

“I kind of started off slow,” Edison said. “My shots were not hitting so I got a little frustrated in that first half. I just had to calm myself down.”

Edison used the halftime break to regain his composure. When play resumed he connected on seven baskets as Newcomb opened up a 57-32 cushion at the end of third.

Besides Edison, Newcomb had four players in double figures with sophomore Darium Peshlakai putting up 15 while seniors Mikal Ashley and Adriano Watchman finished with 11 points. Junior Savier Thomas chipped in 10.

For Crownpoint junior guard Lavontae Robinson finished with 16 points.