SENAI crowns tourney champs: MV Lady Cougars win large school division

By Santiago Ramos Jr.
Special to the Times

GRANTS, N.M. – Monument Valley, Utah, took care of Santa Fe Indian School, 51-39, Saturday night during the tourney final of the large school girls division of the Striking Eagle Native American Invitational that was held at the University Of New Mexico’s Johnson Gym.

In the large school boys final, Santa Fe Indian School held on to beat Bosque, 49-42.

In the small schools girls finals, Alamo Navajo downed Tse’ Yi’ Gai 42-35 while in the small school boys final, To’hajiillee downed Pine, 55-45.

Large school girls finals

Monument Valley 51, SFIS 39

The Lady Cougars led 14-6 after the opening quarter, 24-20 at the half. It was still close after three quarters, 33-29, with Monument Valley on top. But in the fourth quarter the Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Braves 18 to 11 to pull away for a 12-point win.

Monument Valley girls head coach Terri James said that the team’s focus was to limit SFIS’ long-range shots.

“Our team’s focus was to keep Santa Fe Indian School from shooting from the perimeter,” James said. “We wanted them to look inside, giving us a chance to anticipate and intercept passes. We also focused on getting position and boxing out on rebounds, because we knew they had tall players, and finding the opening person in transition. The main goal was to make more baskets than the other team, which sounds simple, but that was a goal. Overall it was a whole team effort and the girls played hard and smart.”

Monument Valley sophomore all-tourney Shikeeya Hudson led the team with 18 points. Senior teammate Nevaeh Wilson, who was the MVP, added 14 points and senior all-tourney Shimequa Hudson chipped in 11. Senior Mariah Begaye had six steals.

SFIS’s double-digit scorers were Kaydence Riley and Emma Lewis with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

In its opening game Thursday, Monument Valley topped Cuba, 54-50. Wilson led the way with 16 points with Begaye and Shikeeya Hudson each added 10 points.

James said that its opening round game with Cuba was tough.

“We struggled to get going during the game with Cuba,” James said. “After some rest and reflection we were ready for Cleveland’s JV. During that game we focused on cleaning up our defense and making good passes.”

In the semifinals Friday, Monument Valley dumped the Cleveland JV 62-28. Senior Precious Bedonie led the team with 12 points. Shimequa Hudson tallied 10 points with nine assists while Begaye added 10 points with seven steals.

Large schools boys finals

SFIS 49, Bosque 42

Santa Fe Indian School held off Bosque 49-42 Saturday night in the large school boys finals.

The SFIS Braves held a slim 23-20 lead over the Bosque Bobcats at intermission. The Braves took a 38-29 cushion after three quarters before holding on for a seven-point win over the Bobcats.

Small school girls finals

Alamo Navajo 42, Tse’ Yi’ Gai 35

Alamo Navajo used a strong opening quarter to turn back Tse’ Yi’ Gai 43-35 Saturday afternoon in the small school girls finals.

The Lady Cougars grabbed a 15-9 first quarter lead over the Dine Warriors. At the half, Alamo Navajo still led 25-18. But Tse’ Yi’ Gai cut that lead down to 32-28 after three quarters only to come up short.

Alamo Navajo’s leading scorer was Sapphira Sandoval who pumped in 18 points.

Tse’ Yi’ Gai was led by Brienna Toledo with 16 points.

Small school boys finals

To’hajiilee 55, Pine Hill 45

To’hajiilee downed Pine Hill 55-45 Saturday in the small school boys finals at UNM’s Johnson Gym.

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