Ganado Lady Hornets pull off thrilling 70-67 win over Monument Valley Mustangs

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

BURNSIDE, Ariz. – In an unexpected turn of events, the Ganado Lady Hornets overcame a 16-point first-quarter deficit to pull off a stunning 70-67 victory against the Monument Valley Mustangs on Tuesday night.

In what seemed like a dominant performance by the Mustangs early on, the Hornets chipped away at the lead and turn the game into nail-biting finish.

Senior guard Faith James led the charge for Ganado, scoring a remarkable 30 points, including a flawless 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line in the second half. Junior guard Jasah McIntosh supported her efforts with 20 points, helping the Lady Hornets execute a comeback that will be remembered for years.

For the Mustangs, freshman guard Megan Sandoval, who emerged as the team’s leading scorer, put up 22 points. In the prior week, Sandoval had been averaging 24 points per game.

MV senior center Kieryn Mann contributed 21 points, going a perfect 10 for 10 from the free throw line in the losing effort.

Monument Valley had a strong start, establishing a 16-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Sandoval was unstoppable, contributing 14 of the team’s 24 points, while senior guards Latisha Mutte and Kieryn Mann added four points apiece.

Ganado, on the other hand, struggled early, managing only eight points in the first quarter, with McIntosh and Cheyenne Denetso scoring three points each.

However, the Lady Hornets found their rhythm in the second quarter. James spearheaded a 17-5 run, scoring nine points, including two 3-pointers and a layup. McIntosh added five points, and the Mustangs, up 31-23 at one point, had to call a timeout to regroup.

Despite the brief interruption, Ganado kept the pressure on, cutting the lead to 33-29 with just over a minute left in the half. Monument Valley closed the quarter with four straight points, but the Hornets were closing in.

At the break, the Mustangs led 37-29, with Mann leading her team with seven points. James had 12 points for Ganado, while McIntosh had five.

Both teams exchanged baskets in the third quarter, with the Mustangs holding a 43-35 advantage. Then, a technical foul called on Ganado’s bench sparked a surge in momentum for the Hornets.

Over the next minute, they went on a 10-2 run, bringing the score to 47-45. Despite a short response from Monument Valley, which resulted on a 4-0 run, Ganado remained close. James’ steady hand at the free-throw line helped trim the deficit, as she went 4-for-4, finishing the quarter with eight points.

As the game entered its final stretch, the Lady Hornets put together another run, this time taking a 54-53 lead after nine unanswered points. The teams continued to trade leads, with the Mustangs fighting to hold on. But James, embodying the role of a leader, sank a critical basket to give Ganado a 68-67 lead with under a minute to go. She would add two more free throws, ensuring the Hornets’ victory as they ran out the clock.

James’ 10 points in the final quarter, including her perfect 4-for-4 showing from the charity stripe, proved to be the difference-maker. For the Mustangs, Mann also contributed 10 points, going an impressive 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Ganado head coach Galen Williams praised his team’s defensive effort, particularly their full-court press, which helped erase the Mustangs’ early lead.

“We don’t have true bigs [players], so we have to rely on our defense,” said Williams. “The girls stepped up, and it was a big one for us.”

He also highlighted James’ leadership, calling her the heart of the team. “This is her team. She embraces the role every time, and games like this show why she’s so important to us.”

Regarding the technical foul, Williams says his girls were penalized for showing excessive emotions.

“The girls were standing up and cheering, and sometimes that gets them overwhelmed,” he said. “We can’t do that again, but it was a learning experience for us.”

Monument Valley head coach Sophie Patterson credited the Hornets for their resilience.

“They just played a tough game, scratched and clawed back into it,” said Patterson, who also noted the impact of losing three starters to fouls, which contributed to the Mustangs’ struggles down the stretch.

“The league is so tough, and people don’t want to lose on their home floor,” she said. “But the Hornets played an excellent game.”

Both teams will be in action tonight as the region race will commence on Feb. 3. The Lady Hornets hope to build on this win as they travel to Tuba City to face the Lady Warriors. The Mustangs will look to bounce back as they host the Chinle Wildcats.

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