Jekyll-and-Hyde Shiprock Northwest team gets by Whitehorse

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Feb 4, 2016 | Basketball |

SHIPROCK

Navajo Times | Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi
Shiprock Northwest High School center Miah Willie (20) jumps for a shot during a nondistrict game with Whitehorse High School last week. The Lady Falcons defeated the Lady Raiders, 56-46.

Last Thursday, when they faced Whitehorse High School, Utah they were a team that could deliver but not the way their coach knows they can.

The Lady Falcons defeated the Lady Raiders 56-46 in a nondistrict game, but Shiprock Northwest head coach Peter Atcitty said his team didn’t show their full potential.

“We’re capable of beating anybody. If these girls want to, they can play, they have to not lose their concentration,” Atcitty said. “We did that tonight.”

The Falcons had a hard time in getting things going as they rushed everything and allowed the Raiders to take the lead.

Atcitty said his team needed to settle down but they had a hard time being collective, as Whitehorse took an 18-14 lead after the first quarter.

“We tried too hard,” he said. “They need to relax, sometimes they try to push it too hard, not set up their offense and run their offense.”

Atcitty said his team plays with too much energy when they get too excited.

In the second quarter they played a sounder version of basketball. They moved from a zone defense to a press that made them more comfortable.

Atcitty said the press is his team’s bread and butter.

“We try to rely on our defense,” he said. “That carries us.”