Hopi plays first conference at home

KEAMS CANYON, Ariz.

The Hopi teams played their first conference game at home on Tuesday night in Hopi Junior Senior High’s gymnasium against St. Johns. The Hopi girls came short as St. Johns won 60-25. However, the Hopi boys pulled out a close win with 50-44.

Lizzie Farmer made the first basket for St. Johns in the girls’ first half. Her teammate, Ellie Otto, lead the count with three baskets and one free throw. Aubrie Wilson also made a 3-pointer for the team.

For Hopi, Katrese Lomayaktewa made a basket, two technical shots, and a 3-pointer, ending 14-10 for St. Johns.

In the second quarter, Johns broke through the Lady Bruins defense with Wilson leading the period with three baskets, a free throw, and another 3-pointer.

Hopi did its best to keep up with Kaleigh Huma working the whole quarter, scoring six of the eight points made. Ashlynn Manygoats made the other basket for the team. St. Johns claimed the first half of the game with 32-18.

With the start of the second half, St. Johns dominated the court once more and kept Hopi off balance. Brooke Smith and Kinley Crosby lead the scoring with both making 4 points each.

The Lady Bruins had trouble keeping up. Lomayaktewa raised morale with a 3-pointer, but it wasn’t enough as St. Johns took the third period with 46-23.

In the final period, Otto led St. Johns with three baskets, followed by Hannah Burt, who made one basket and one free throw. Lady Bruin Neveah Lomavaya made one last score for Hopi before the game ended with St. Johns as the victors with 60-25.

St. Johns girls’ coach Ray Davis congratulated his team for the win.

“Our defense is key for us to be successful,” Davis said. “Hopi came out and played a great first quarter, and we knew we had to figure out the defense and the intensity, and we figured it out in the second half.”

He gives credit to Smith and Crosby for starting the game on a high note and keeping up the pressure for the rest of the game. He also said his new members Otto and Wilson did great while on the floor. The team is excited about its upcoming tournament and believes it’ll build up to become a better team.

Hopi girls coach Farron Lomakema accepted the loss, saying some things needed to be worked on, but wasn’t discouraged by the results.

“So far we’re growing I think we’re improving every game in spurts,” Lomakema said. “I think this is our first conference game, so we have a long way to go.

“But like I said, we’re improving every game, and I’m starting to see the girls jelling together, and I think once we identify a starting five, we’ll be OK.”

It’s taking the team a while to find its rhythm after losing a season to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Lomayaktewa is certain her team will improve as the season goes on. He highlights Neveah Lomavaya and Kaleigh Huma’s effort tonight, predating they will grow into good players.

Boys

The Bruins opened the game by taking possession and Izaiah Silas making the first basket. St. Johns responded with Charlie Humpherys making a basket himself soon after.

Humpherys made three baskets, and his teammate “DJ” made two 3-pointers.

Hopi’s Milson Tessay made a basket and a free throw, with additional baskets from his fellow teammates. The quarter ended 12-8 in St. Johns favor.

Humpherys made a 3-pointer and a free throw in the next quarter, and Afton Cox made a basket. The teams tied at 13-13 and 15-15, neither wanting to give ground.

This was Hopi’s quarter as Tessay stole the ball multiple times and would make three baskets for the Bruins. Wellan Lomahoyouma made a basket and a free throw while Owen Begay and Curtis Talieje made a basket each, ending the first half for the Bruins, 21-18.

When the second half began, St. Johns turned on the heat to try and win back the lead. Charlie Humpherys led once again with a 3-pointer and a basket. DJ also made a 3-pointer.

Bruin’s Tessay and Lomahoyouma made 3-pointers of their own, barely keeping the lead out of St. Johns hands with 31-30.

Tensions were high in the final period, the stress possibly getting to St. Johns as they had trouble making shots and passes. Hopi maintained the pressure but had to contend with St. Johns defense.

Humpherys carried the St. John team through the game, scoring 6 points in the final round. Jordan Mannery was pushed to the ground, yet he made a successful basket as he fell. He also got a free throw right after and gained St. Johns 4 points. Hunter Jarvis also made 2 points with free throws. Hopi pushed ahead of them, and Humpherys got them close, but Hopi was able to stay a step ahead.

The Bruins was recently in the final quarter. Silas made three baskets, Anson Nodman made two 3-pointers, and Begay made a basket. Tessay made two baskets and made the game’s final score with a free throw. He held onto the ball as time ran out, ending 50-44 for the Bruins.

Hopi coach Rick Baker said he is happy for the win and the team’s efforts.

“I think it was a good conference win,” Baker said, “it’s going to give an idea what we need to work on as far as the game goes.

“I think we played well in the third quarter where we pulled away once we put on our pressured defense,” he said. “We just need to take care of the ball better during the fourth quarter where it got crucial, but it was a good game for us.”

Baker credits Tessay, who made 17 points in the game, and Nodman, who made 3-pointers during the final period. For St. Johns, Humpherys made a total of 21 points that night. The team has a good balance of offense and defense. For many, they’re new on the varsity team and haven’t had much time training due to the pandemic.

Still, Baker felt like their first conference win is a good sign and will be focusing on improving the team.

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