Unbeaten Lady Bengals soaring

FRUITLAND

Many people flood into the stands of whatever gymnasium the Gallup High School girl’s basketball team happens to be playing in, hoping to see why the Lady Bengals are undefeated.

Some might guess that their overall record of 21-0 and District 1-5A record of 4-0 is because of their 6-foot post and others might credit it to their fast guards. But if you ask the Lady Bengals and their head coach, Kamau Turner, it’s something less obvious: teamwork.

“It’s about the group and what we can achieve as a group,” Turner said. “I don’t think we’d be as successful as we have been if it’s about one person or one player.”

Unselfish, humble and tenacious are also concepts the Lady Bengals have embodied in their undefeated journey so far this season.

They’ve suffered their lows and embraced their highs but through it all they’ve remained a family.

But when Turner got his team this season, he wasn’t sure what they would look like or even what they could do.

“Last year we had seniors that provided a lot for us; that was a really good group, “ he said. “We have few returners that really got experience on that team last year and everyone else is new. Instead of having a team where you’ve built them, you have to move the parts around to fit…everything else is a new piece.”

Some of the veteran pieces include senior guards Deerae Torrez and Shenoah Begay along with senior post Ni’Asia Mcintosh.

Turner said they’ve proven to be key pieces of the puzzle that work with their young teammates.

“Shenoah, she brings the good, tough defense. She’s probably our best perimeter defender; that’s a very important role for us. Deerae, she doesn’t score a whole lot but she’s very crucial to our team because she keeps us organized, keeps us from turning the ball over,” Turner said. “Ni’Asia, she’s one of the most talented players in our state. Rebounding wise, when you have a player who can go and get 20 rebounds every night that helps. She can score, she can put the ball in the hole.”

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