Farmington claims Marv Sanders Invite title, tops Navajo Prep 49-30

Posted by Navajo Times | Dec 18, 2025 | Basketball |

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

FARMINGTON — Defense set the tone from the opening tip for Farmington on Saturday night.

The Lady Scorpions held Navajo Prep to just eight first-half points and cruised to a 49-30 win in the championship game of the 2025 Marv Sanders Invitational Girls Basketball Tournament, remaining unbeaten at 7-0 on the season.

“Our defense is the key to our success,” Farmington head coach Thomas Adair said. “It creates offensive opportunities. Tonight, we didn’t shoot the ball like we did the past two nights, but our defense is what kept us in the game.”

Seniors Kjani Anitielu and Caris Dale scored in double figures to lead Farmington, which built a 25-8 halftime lead and controlled the pace throughout the contest.

Farmington advanced to the championship game with dominant wins over Newcomb, 63-19, and Window Rock, 70-46. Navajo Prep earned its spot with a 34-31 win over Durango on Thursday and a 51-45 victory over Volcano Vista on Friday.

Farmington wasted little time establishing control in the title game, opening the first quarter on a 6-0 run by attacking the lane and finishing through contact. Navajo Prep did not get on the scoreboard until near the four-minute mark, trailing 8-2. The Lady Scorpions closed the quarter with a 10-4 advantage, with Anitielu and Caris Dale scoring four points apiece.

The second quarter followed a similar script as Farmington continued to apply pressure on both ends of the floor. Caris Dale knocked down two 3-pointers to score six points in the period, while senior Chenoa Parrish added four. Senior Arianna Charley finished the half with three points and senior Ziondre Leuppe added a basket as Farmington outscored Navajo Prep 15-4 to take a 25-8 halftime lead. Freshmen Dejahnelle Denetso and Taylor Begay each scored two points for the Lady Eagles in the quarter.

Both teams found more offensive success in the third period, but Farmington maintained control. The Lady Scorpions outscored Navajo Prep 17-11, with Anitielu scoring eight points on four field goals and senior Talitha George contributing five. Senior Kameron Dale scored five points in the quarter for Navajo Prep as Farmington extended its lead to 42-19 heading into the final frame.

Navajo Prep outscored Farmington in the fourth quarter, but the outcome was never in doubt. Farmington finished with seven points in the period, while sophomore Ammiah Begaye scored four to lead the Lady Eagles. The game ended with a 49-30 final.

Anitielu and Caris Dale led Farmington’s balanced scoring effort, a point Adair said reflects the identity of his team.

“It was even scoring across the board, which is what we want,” Adair said. “They’re very unselfish. We don’t want to force shots or passes. We want to move the ball, work hard, and look for openings, and that’s how we got some good layups.”

Navajo Prep was led by Kameron Dale and freshman Paiten Tucson with five points each, while three other players finished with four points.

Navajo Prep head coach Rainy Crisp said early foul trouble for Kameron Dale affected the offense but not the team’s defensive approach.

“Offensively it hurt us because she’s our leading scorer,” Crisp said. “But defensively, her replacement maintained our strategy.”

Crisp also said her team struggled to stick to its game plan following an emotional semifinal win.

“We were taking too many outside shots and not attacking,” she said. “At halftime, I had to reassure the girls that they can play against anybody. They can play against Farmington, and they can win.”

Despite the loss, Crisp said the tournament experience will help the Lady Eagles moving forward.

“This was a great tournament,” she said. “Playing this type of competition helps us develop and prepare for the state championship. You have to play the best to become the best.”

Farmington returns to action this week with games against Shiprock (3-3) on Dec. 17 and a highly anticipated matchup with Kirtland Central (6-1) on Friday, Dec. 19. Navajo Prep lost to Kirtland Central 67-26 on Monday night and will return to action by traveling to Chinle for the Southwest Foodservice Excellence Round Robin Basketball Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20.

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