Local teams gauge their level of play at Shiprock tournaments

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Dec 8, 2016 | Basketball |

Navajo Times | Adron Gardner
Aztec Tigers Cody Smith (11), left, and Tanner Brooks (5) vie for a rebound with Whitehorse Raider Jaden Ahtsosie (22) during the Shiprock Invitational basketball tournament at Shiprock High School on Dec. 3.

SHIPROCK

When it comes to smaller teams who compete in tournaments with stronger and quicker teams, it comes down to gaining experience.

A handful of small school teams from Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico competed in the Shiprock High School boys’ and girls’ tournaments over the weekend (the Jerry Richardson Memorial Tournament for the girls and the Chieftain Tournament for the boys). And while many of the them played teams beyond their level of competitiveness, the smaller teams took the opportunities in stride and used them to their advantage.

From Whitehorse, the girls and boys teams got a look at the competition they expect to see later on throughout their respective seasons.

The boys’ team defeated Durango junior varsity on the first day of the tournament and Shiprock Northwest in the second day. They met Aztec High School in their third game and the Tigers defeated them 58-42.

With Aztec being a much taller team, Whitehorse tried to rely on their speed and outside shots.

Whitehorse head coach Evan Grant said his team did not play a complete game and they simply had a bad weekend of shooting.

“I think we could have attacked better, we tried to go from outside in, we should have gone from inside out. We kind of let down in the second quarter, but I think they killed us in the second quarter…we had to play four quarters and we only played three,” he said. “They (Aztec) had a lot of second-chance opportunities. Pretty much every time they got a rebound, they scored. We’re a small team as it is so we really got to start boxing out. Shooting has been a big plus for us, but…we had a bad shooting night last night and then today.”

Grant said they need to work more on conditioning and academic issues.

He said the tournament gave them insight into how they match up with tougher competition.

“That’s who we’re going to play when we get to state, teams like that; strong, quick, guards. It’s good experience for us and it shows us what we need to work on.”

The Whitehorse girls’ team is working with more experience this season, but they got a glimpse into some areas they need to work on.

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