Unfinished business: Navajo Prep boys eyeing state title

GALLUP

One of the objectives for the Navajo Prep boys basketball team this season was to “branch out.”

The No. 2 ranked Eagles traveled to southern New Mexico for a pair of tournaments and that has paid dividends for the Matt Melvin-coached team as they took first in the Hot Springs tournament and second at the Poe Corn Invitational at Roswell High School.

“With Covid, we were kind of boxed up in the top of the state,” Melvin said. “We been up there the last two years and we really wanted to branch out. My boss, Rainy (Crisp), granted me to travel all over the state this year and we’re grateful for that.

“We wanted to mix things up and find the best competition that we can,” he said. “The competition in the first two tournaments was tremendous and we got to see teams that we don’t see.”

The Navajo Prep coach said the officiating was called differently and he acknowledged the teams they played were a bit more physical.

“I think it was really good for my guys to see that because when you get to state it’s gonna be different,” he said.

Navajo Prep junior point guard Jude Thomas said the competition they faced was an eye-opener, as the Eagles won its first nine games before coming up short to 4A team Roswell by a 51-48 count in the finals of the Poe Corn Invite.

“Those guys were big and physical,” said Thomas, who is one of six returners from last year’s 18-9 team. “They’re some of the biggest dudes that I’ve played against, and just being able to handle that pressure is going to help us when we play against our district opponent and other 3A teams.”

Last week, the Eagles played in its final regular season tournament at the Gallup Invitational. Navajo Prep took third, losing to the Bengals 54-48 in the tournament’s semifinals.

“It’s one of the better tournaments that I’ve been a part of,” Melvin said. “It’s a tournament that we always look forward to. This is our last tune up before we start district off.”

On Tuesday, the Eagles opened the District 1-3A season at Tohatchi, winning by a 67-45 count. Navajo Prep will host Thoreau tonight for another league game.

“The district season is a different beast,” Melvin said. “Everybody is familiar with each other, so all bets are off kind of when you start district.”

The rest of the teams in the district includes Crownpoint, Zuni, Wingate and Newcomb.

“Crownpoint is looking tough,” Thomas said. “They’ve played some really good teams. And Tohatchi has always given us a good game, but we’re not gonna go into any game underestimating anybody.

“We’re gonna prepare and pretend like we’re playing a really big team,” he added.

At 13-2 overall, the Eagles have racked up that many wins by playing good defense. On the other side of the ball, they play unselfishly and they’re very deliberate in their offensive sets.

“It’s gotta be a total buy-in on both sides of the floor,” Melvin said. “Every coach wants their teams to play hard on defense, but it’s your team that has to do it.”

The fourth-year coach said they look for two shots – 3s and rim touches – during the game.

“It’s not going to go in every time, but the more time it hits the rim the better odds you have of making a few,” he said.

“Coach puts us in great position to score,” Thomas chimed in. “We got guys that can score buckets when they get that opportunity. You can’t complain because he gives everybody a chance to go out and exceed and do what they do best.”

As one of the favorites to win the district title, Thomas said they’re looking at a much bigger prize.

“We want to win district, but most importantly we want to win state,” he said. “We want that blue trophy.”

That desire was spurred on by last year’s heartbreaking 41-40 loss to Santa Fe St. Michael’s in the 3A state quarterfinals as the Horsemen won on a buzzer beater.

“Three days after we lost that game, the guys wanted a meeting at the school,” Melvin said. “They were willing to do whatever it takes to not lose like that again because that one hurt.

“That was a tough way to lose, and they had to sit there and wait for this season to come around,” he added. “We’ve talked about that a lot and they understand that one shot can end your season.”

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